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THE 



MEXICAN WAR: 



HISTORY OF ITS ORIGIN, 



AND 



A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF THE VICTOEIES WHICH TERMINATED IN 
THE SURRENDER OF THE CAPITAL ; WITH THE OFFICIAL 



DESPATCHES OF THE GENERALS. 



BY EDWARD D. MANSFIELD, ESQ. 



EUustratctJ toft!) ifWaps anlf JEnfltahfnas. 



NEW YORK 
PUBLISHED BY A. S. BARNES & CO. 

No. 51 JOHN-STREET. 
CINCINNATI : DERBY, BRADLEY & CO. 

1848. 




A 



,^^o4 



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Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1848, 

By a. S. BARNES & Co., 

In the Clerk's OflSce of the District Court for the Southern District of 

New York. 



Stereotyped by 

RICHARD C. VALENTINE, 

New York. 



C. A. ALVORD, Printer, 
Corner of John and Dutch streets. 



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PHEFACE. 



It has been wisely remarked by a distingaished 
American statesman, that " the commencement 
of the Mexican War was the opening of a new 
volume of American history." 

Nations, hke individuals, are often borne along 
in their progress, without pausing to consider the 
particular acts which are to shape and control 
their future destiny; and perhaps there is no 
subject on which the public mind is less hkely to 
tict with caution and deliberation than on the 
momentous question of peace or war. 

The present Mexican war is a striking illus- 
tration of this principle. It would appear, from 
the public documents, that neither the President 
nor Congress anticipated it until hostilities had 
actually commenced, and it may well be doubted 
if either can see the consequences which yet may 
flow from it. 

To pause, therefore, and review the past, to 
examine into all the causes which have led to the 
unhappy estrangement of two sister Republics, 



IV PREFACE. 



has seemed a fitting introduction to the narration 
of those inihtary achievements which now form 
a part of the history of the country. 

We have felt no pleasure in tracing the causes 
which led to this war, and certainly none in con- 
templating its progress and looking forward to its 
final consequences. But when we pass to the army, 
and behold the brilliant results obtained with such 
small means, against such immense superiority of 
force, and see the high military skill of the com- 
manding officers sustained by the courage and 
heroism of the troops, we feel a just pride in 
describing their actions and recording their deeds. 

In the preparation of this work great care has 
been taken to select the most reliable sources of 
information. 

Those who have taken part in the stirring 
scenes which are described must have viewed 
them from different positions, and an honest dif- 
ference of opinion in regard even to facts will 
sometimes be found to exist. But the descrip- 
tion of the great movements and battles is based 
on public documents, despatches, and orders, 
which must ever be the material of a reliable his- 
tory of a war. 

Cincinnati, January, 1848. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 



Origin of the War with Mexico. — Settlement of Texas. — Declaration of 
Independence. — Santa Anna's Treaty. — Movement towards Annexa- 
tion. — Correspondence of Boconegra. — Declaration x>i Almonte. — Mr. 
Calhoun's Reasons. — Lord Aberdeen's Declaration. — The Tyler Treaty. 
— The Joint Resolution. — Departure of Almonte. — General Taylor or- 
dered to Texas. — Strength of the Army at Corpus Christi . . Page 9 

CHAPTER II. 

War inevitable. — General Scott at Washington. — Recommends an In- 
crease of the Army. — Mission of Mr. Slidell. — Downfall of Herrera. — 
Departure of Slidell. — General Taylor marches from Corpus Cliristi. — 
Arrives at Point Isabel — In front of Matamoras. — Capture of Captain 
Thornton's Party. — March of General Taylor to Point Isabel — Battles 
of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. — Taylor's Official Reports . 22 

CHAPTER III. 

Action of Congress. — Declaration of the President. — Legislation. — General 
Scott's Views of the War. — His Comments on the Plan of Campaign. — 
His Correspondence with Secretary Marcy. — The Grounds for his Opin- 
ions. — Is ordered to remain at Washington 44 

CHAPTER IV. 

Campaign of the Rio Grande continued. — Movement of the Army. — March 
to Monterey. — Battle of Monterey. — Armistice. — March to Saltillo. — 
Wool's Corps. — Tampico. — Occupation of Victoria. — Conclusion of the 
Campaign. — General Taylor's Despatches. — Results 56 

CHAPTER V. 

Government Plan to invade Northern Mexico. — Assemblage of Troops at 
Fort Leavenworth. — Kearney's March to Santa Fe. — Nature of the 
Country. — Retreat of the Mexicans. — Arrival at Santa Fe. — Kearney's 
Proclamation. — Kearney departs for California. — -Wool's E.xpedition. — 
Assembling of the Troops at San Antonio. — The Object of the Expedi- 
tion. — March to Mouclova ; to Pedas Wool joins Worth at Saltillo. — 

Taylor's March to Victoria .... 76 

a2 



b CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER VI. 

Expedition of Captain Fremont. — Arrival at Monterey, California. — Sus- 
picions of Governor de Castro. — Fremont takes position. — Returns by 
Oregon. — Returns again to Monterey. — Is threatened by De Castro. — 
Declares War. — Capture of Mexicans. — Sails from Monterey to Diego. 
— Capture of the City of Angels. — Conquest of California. — Object of the 
Government. — Marcy's Letter to Stevenson.— ^Marcy's Orders to Kear- 
ney. — Scott's Orders. — Insurrection in New Mexico. — Murder of Bent. 
— Battle of Covoda. — Battle of Pueblo de Taos. — Insurrection in Cali 
fornia. — March of Doniphan. — Battle of Brozitos. — Capture of El Paso'^ 
— Battle of Sacramento. — • apture of Chihuahua. — March to Sal- 
tillo. — Arrival at New Orleans. — March of Gilpin to the Rocky Moun- 
tains Page 91 

CHAPTER VII. 

General Scott ordered to Mexico. — Letter of the Secretary of War to 
General Taylor. — Letter of the Secretary of War to General Scott. — 
General Scott leaves Washington. — His Letter to General Taylor. — 
Plan of appointing a Lieutenant-General. — Scott reaches the Rio 
Grande* — Condition of things there. — Withdraws a part of Taylor's 
Troops in compliance with the Orders of the War Department . 110 

CHAPTER Vin. 

General Taylor's Movements. — Taylor's Position. — Santa Anna's Ad- 
vance. — Importance of the event. — Battle of Buena Vista. — Retreat of 
the Mexicans. — Taylor's Official Account. — Santa Anna's Report, 119 

CHAPTER IX. 

Advance of the Army to Lobos ; thence to Antonio Lizardo. — Siege and 
Capture of Vera Cruz. — Official Despatches. — March to the Interior. — 
Battle of Cerro Gordo. — Official Despatches. — Capture of Puebla, 163 

CHAPTER X. 

Entrance of the American Army hito Puebla. — Mexican Account. — 
American Officers. — Conduct of the Army. — Situation of Puebla, — 
Character of the Country. — The Ancient Cholula. — Strength of the 
Army. — Scott's Proclamation. — Humanity of the Army.— rMission of 
Trist. — Reasons for remaining in Puebla. — Drilling of the Army. — Rais- 
ing new Regiments. — New Volunteers. — Attack on the Train of M'ln- 
tosh. — Advance of Pierce. — Concentration of the Army . . 202 

CHAPTER XI. 

Strength of the Army. — Reinforcements. — Divisions of the Army. — 
March from Puebla. — Hospitals of Puebla. — Volcano of Popocatapetl. — 



CONTENTS. 7 

Pass of Rio Frio. — View of Mexico. — Valley of Mexico. — Lakes. — 
Inundations. — Topography of the Valley. — Position of the Army on 
the ]3th of August. — Reconnoissance of the Rifles. — El Penon. — 
Mexicalcingo. — Turning of Lake Chalco. — March to San Augustine. — 
Skirmish at Bueiia Vista. — Concentration. — Position of the Army on 
the 18th Page 221 

CHAPTER Xn. 

Mexican Line of Defence. — Position of the American and Mexican Ar- 
mies. — Action of the 19th. — Position in the Hamlet of Contreras. — Po- 
sition of General Scott. — Arrangements for the Battle. — Distribution of 
the American and Mexican Forces. — Battle of Contreras. — Rout of the 
Mexicans. — Surrender of Mexican Generals. — Recapture of the Buena 
Vista Guns. — Scott's Arrangements. — Evacuation of San Antonia. — 
Storm of the Tete du Pont. — Battle of Churubusco. — Defeat of the 
Mexicans. — Loss. — Truce 241 

CHAPTER XIIL 

Peace Negotiations. — President Polk's Commission. — Mexican Conditions. 
— American Ultimatum. — Failure of Negotiations. — Scott's Notice to 
Santa Anna. — Trial and Execution of the Deserters. — Description of 
Chapultepec. — Of Molino del Rey. — Mexican Defences. — March of 
Worth. — Strength of his Corps. — Battle of Molino del Rey. — Mexican 
Loss. — Evacuation of Molino del Rey. — Preparations for the Attack 
of Chapultepec. — Erection of Batteries. — Storm of Chapultepec. — Ac- 
tion of the 13th. — Capture of Mexico. — Entrance into the City. — Scott's 
Address to the Soldiers. — Insurrection of the Leperos. — Appearance of 
the City.— Reflections 273 



MEXICAN WAR. 



CHAPTER I. 

Origin of the War with Mexico. — Settlement of Texas. — Declaration of 
Independence. — Santa Anna's Treaty. — Movement towards Annexation. 
— Correspondence of Bocanegra. — Declaration of Almonte. — Mr. Cal- 
houn's reasons. — Lord Aberdeen's Declaration. — The Tyler Treaty. — 
The Joint Resolution. — Departure of Almonte. — General Taylor ordered 
to Texas. — Strength of the Army at Corpus Christi. 

Till quite recently, the immense territory extending 
from the Sabine to the Rio Grande was comparatively un- 
inhabited. Comprehending a space large enough for an 
empire, and within the mildest part of the temperate zone, 
it was yet too remote from the inhabitants of ancient 
Mexico on one hand, or from those of the northern Atlan- 
tic States on the other, to be reached and cultivated at an 
earher period by the adventurous and advancing settlers of 
America. The country belonged to Mexico, but was hardly 
possessed by her people. A few towns immediately east 
of the Rio Grande, and an occasional village or settlement 
in the interior — such as Antonio de Bexar, Goliad, and 
Nacogdoches — were the only marks of improvement 
which indicated the civilization of the white man, or the 
dominion of Mexico. Nor did the aboriginal inhabitants 
appear much more numerous. The Camanches of the 
northern districts, and a few scattered and fleeting tribes, 



10 EMIGRATION TO TEXAS. 

wandered over the vast territories of uninhabited Texas, 
but offered no very formidable obstacle to the progress 
of civilization. 

Texas was in this almost desolate condition when it 
attracted the roving eye of land speculation. Certain 
persons in the United States foresaw the rapid and inevit- 
able movement of the United States of the North towards 
the Western Ocean, and sought to enhance their fortunes 
by obtaining grants of Texan lands from the Mexican gov- 
ernment. Among these was Stephen Austin, who obtained 
a large tract, and whose name has since been attached 
both to a county and a town. With him, and with others 
to whom Mexico had made grants, came numerous par- 
ties of colonists and adventurers, who sought, like their 
leaders, to pursue their fortunes and avoid their adversi- 
ties, by successful enterprise in a new country, and by 
sharing in the distribution of vast bodies of unoccupied 
land. The number of these adventurers rapidly increased, 
till they became more numerous than the Mexicans who 
previously inhabited the country. The difference of race, 
religion, and laws, was soon apparent in diversities of 
sentiment and objects between the old and new inhabit- 
ants. The Texan of the United States brought with 
him, not only greater energy and industry, but a wild and 
restless ambition — a more intense and speculative pursuit 
of future objects. 

Where differences so deep and original as these exist 
among different classes of people, they will soon become 
manifested in external action. The new inhabitants soon 
seized the direction of all public affairs, and Texas be- 
came, in fact, the possession of these adventurers from a 
foreign land, rather than of those ancient citizens to whose 



CAUSES LEADING TO INDEPENDENCE. 11 

government it professed allegiance. The power thus ob- 
tained was soon manifested in other acts. It is not in the 
nature of things, that a country should change its inhabit- 
ants and not also change its government. The new pos- 
sessors will assume the laws and institutions to which 
their habits have been used and their sentiments assimi- 
lated. It was so with Texas. No sooner did the settlers 
from the United States possess the power, than they 
looked round for the means of establishing their own 
forms of government. 

In the revolutions of Mexico, so rapid and often so 
disastrous, the opportunities for change could never be long 
wanting. In the case of Texas, such an occasion was 
offered in the overthrow, by Santa Anna, of the Mex- 
ican Federal Government. This powerful chief being 
invested with the supreme magistracy, in a short time 
after assumed absolute power. About this time, the peo- 
ple of Texas having increased largely in population and 
resources, petitioned the Mexican Congress for admission 
into the confederation, as a separate State. The bearer 
of this petition, and a commissioner to represent their 
claims, was Stephen Austin. The Congress of Mexico 
paid no attention to the petition ; but Austin imprudently 
wrote back to the Texan authorities, advising them to 
organize a State, without waiting for the consent of the 
government. The letter was intercepted, and Austin, on 
his return, arrested, carried back to the capital, and placed 
during a year in solitary confinement. The people of the 
United States who had become citizens of Texas, were 
naturally indignant at what they considered an outrage on 
the right of petition, and an insult to the dignity of their 
commissioner. 



12 WAR WITH MEXICO. 

Such was the feeling in Texas, when Santa Anna, having 
completed his usurpation of the supreme power and de- 
feated the Zacatecans, who opposed him, sent General 
Cos into Texas to enforce certain requisitions of the gov- 
ernment. One of these was the execution of the Act of 
1830, prohibiting the emigration of Americans into Texas. 
Another was the surrender of Lorenzo de Zavala, who 
had become a refugee in Texas, in consequence of moving 
a law, in the Mexican Congress, directed against church 
property. To enforce these demands. General Cos took 
possession of Antonio de Bexar. On the other hand, the 
Texans prepared for an armed resistance, and on the 28th 
of September, 1835, they attacked and defeated a party of 
'Mexicans at the town of Gonzales, on the Rio Guadalupe. 

Thus was commenced the war and revolution of Texas : 
a war which arose, on the part of Mexico, from an attempt 
to enforce the authority of the government de facto (with- 
out reference to the Constitution) over the province of 
Texas ; and on the side of Texas, in an obvious attempt 
to make that province virtually independent of Mexico. 

On the 3d of November, 1835, the delegates of Texas 
assembled at San Felipe de Austin, and issued a solemn 
declaration against Santa Anna and other military chief- 
tains, " who had by force of arms overthrown the Federal 
Institutions of Mexico, and dissolved the social compact 
which existed between Texas and the other members of 
the Mexican confederacy." 

The war thus commenced between Texas and the 
mother country continued, with various fortune, till the 
21st of April, 1836, when General Santa Anna was cap- 
tured at the battle of San Jacinto, and the Mexican au- 
thority over the Texans really destroyed. 



CAPTURE OF SANTA ANNA. 13 

On the 2d of March previously, the Texan delegates ^ 
assembled at Washington on the Brazos, made a formal 
declaration of independence, signed a constitution, and 
organized a government. This independence Santa Anna, 
a captive in the hands of the Texan army, afterwards 
bound himself to " solemnly acknowledge, sanction, and 
ratify ;" and to use his personal and official powers to pro- 
cure without delay the ratification and confirmation of that 
treaty by the legitimate government of Mexico. 

The boundaries of Texas, as then defined, are of im- 
portance as constituting one of the grounds of claim on 
the part of the government of the United States against 
Mexico. They were declared to be as follows : — 

" Beginning at the mouth of the Rio Grande ; thence 
up the principal stream of said river to its source ; thence 
due north to the 42° of north latitude ; thence along the 
boundary line, as defined in the treaty between the United 
Slates and Spain, (February, 1819,) to the beginning." 

To any claim of boundary, however, resting upon this 
concession of Santa Anna, it is well replied, that it was 
made when he was under constraint, and was in its very 
terms of no effect till ratified by the legitimate govern- 
ment of Mexico. Accordingly when, a little while after- 
wards, Bustamente became president of Mexico, he re- 
pudiated this treaty, and recommenced the war with 
Texas. This war was continued, in desultory and pre- 
datory excursions, on both sides, till Texas was finally 
annexed to the United States. 

While things were in this state — the mother country 
contending for its continued dominion, and the young 
province for absolute independence — the Question of 
Annexation (as it is politically called) arose both in 

B 



14 ANNEXATION OF TEXAS. 

the United Slates and Texas. The inhabitants of the 
latter, we have said, were chiefly citizens of the United 
States — persons whom past adversities or future hopes 
had impelled to this new region in pursuit of fortune or 
adventure. If it was natural for them thus to pursue 
these new objects, it was equally natural that they should 
desire to remain politically and socially connected with 
the land of their birth and the home of their associations. 
\Srccordingly, as early as the 4th of August, 1837, soon 
after she declared her independence, Texas proposed to 
annex herself to the United States.^ The then president 
of this country, Mr. Van Buren, declined the terms, for 
reasons which were alike honorable to his sagacity as a 
man, and his principles as a statesman. He declared, 
that so long as we were bound by a treaty of amity and 
commerce with Mexico, to annex Texas would necessa- 
rily involve the question of war ; and that a disposition to 
espouse the quarrel with Mexico was at variance with the 
spirit of the treaty, and with the policy and welfare of the 
United Slates.^ 

Texas continued negotiations with the United States, 
with Great Britain, France, and Mexico — the object of 
which was to procure the acknowledgment of her inde- 
pendence by Mexico, or her protection by some more 
powerful government. Thus matters continued — a partial 
war at one time, and a series of negotiations at another — 
till the administration of President Tyler revived the plan 
of annexation. On the 6th of October, 1843, the Hon. 
A. P. Upshur, Secretary of State, proposed to the Texan 
envoy the renewal of negotiations for the annexation of 

* Vide State Papers. * Idem. 



BOCANEGRA S LETTER. 15 

Texas to the United States ; which was accepted by the 
Texan executive. 

In the mean while, the subject had been discussed in 
the newspapers, and the Mexican government availed it- 
self of this information to make a formal declaration of its 
views on this important point. Mr. Bocanegra, the Mex- 
ican Minister of Foreign Relations, addressed a note^ 
(August 23, 1843) to Waddy Thompson, our minister in 
Mexico, of which the following is a passage : — 

" And if a party in Texas is now endeavoring to effect 
its incoi-poration with the United States, it is from a con- 
sciousness of their notorious incapability to form and 
constitute an independent nation, without their having 
changed their situation, or acquired any right to separate 
themselves from their mother country. His Excellency 
the Provisional President, resting on this deep conviction, 
is obliged to prevent an aggression, unprecedented in the 
annals of the world, from being consummated ; and if it 
he indispensable for the Mexican nation to seek security 
for its rights at the expense of the disasters of war, it 
will call upon God, and rely on its own efforts for the 
defence of its just caused 

This declaration was a notice to the American govern- 
ment of the effects to he anticipated from the annexation, 
and fully justified the sagacity and firmness of Mr. Van 
Buren. It was replied to, by Mr, Waddy Thompson, in 
a haughty note, affirming that the notice of the Mexican 
minister was a threat, or a warning ; but silent as to the 
attitude really assumed by the United States. 

A short time subsequent to this correspondence, and 

* State Papers — Letter of Bocanegra. 



16 a.lmonte's letter. 

as if to prevent any misunderstanding of the meaning of 
Mexico, General Almonte, Mexican minister at Washing- 
ton, addressed a note to Mr. Upshur, Secretary of State, 
of which the following passage is a part : — 

" But if, contrary to the hopes and wishes entertained 
by the government of the undersigned for the preservation 
of the good understanding and harmony which should 
reign between the two neighboring and friendly republics, 
the United States should, in defiance of good faith, and the 
principles of justice which they have constantly proclaim- 
ed, commit the unheard-of act of violence of appropriating 
to themselves an integrant part of the Mexican territory, 
the undersigned, in the name of his nation, and now for 
them, protests in the most solemn manner against such 
an aggression ; and he moreover declares, by express order 
of his government, that on sanction being given by the 
Executive of the Union to the incorporation of Texas into 
the United States, he will consider his mission ended, 
seeing that, as the Secretary of State will have learned, 
the Mexican government is resolved to declare war as 
soon as it receives intimation of such an act.^^^ 

Long previous to actual annexation, it will be observed, 
the Mexican government had officially informed -the Ex- 
ecutive of the United States, that war must inevitably 
result from that act. It cannot, therefore, be said, with 
any regard to truth, that the government of the United 
States, in annexing Texas, did not have reason to antici- 
pate that result, and did not neglect that preparation which 
such anticipations required of a prudent administration.^ 



' General Almonte's Letter, dated November 3d, 1843. 
" In fact they made none till the war was commenced. 



LORD Aberdeen's letter. 17 

The plan of annexation, notwithstanding these explicit 
declarations of the Mexican government, was anxiously 
and sedulously pursued by the Executive of the United 
Stales. Mr. J. C. Calhoun, who had succeeded Mr.. 
Upshur^ as Secretary of State, signed with the Ministers 
Plenipotentiary of Texas (Messrs. Van Zandt and Hen- 
derson) a Treaty of Annexation, on the 12th of April, 
1844. In the same month, the Secretary of State (Mr. 
Calhoun) advised the Charge d' Affaires in Mexico, " that, 
the step had been forced on the government of the 
United States in self-defence, in consequence of the poli- 
cy adopted by Great Britain in reference to the abolition 
of slavery in Texas."^ At the same moment, there had 
been presented by Mr. Pakenham, (British minister,) 
and was on file in the Department of State, a solemn 
declaration of the British government, by Lord Aberdeen, 
that this idea of British interference was a gross mistake.^ 
In this declaration. Lord Aberdeen says, — 

" With regard to Texas, we avow that we wish to see 
slavery abolished there, or elsewhere ; and we should re- 
joice, if the recognition of that country by the Mexican 
government, should be accompanied by an engagement 
on the part of Texas to abolish slavery, and under 
proper conditions throughout the republic. But although 
we earnestly desire and feel it to be our duty to promote 
such a consummation, we shall not interfere unduly, or 
with an improper assumption of authority with either 



* Mr. Upshur was killed on board the Princeton. 
' State Correspondence, April, 1844. 

' Lord Aberdeen's Letter was dated December 26th, 1843 ; and pre- 
sented by Mr. Pakenham, February 26th, 1844. 

b2 2 



]S TREATY REJECTED. 

party, in order to insure the adoption of such a course. 
We shall counsel, but we shall not seek to compel or un- 
duly control either party." 

Did the President and Secretary of State disbelieve 
this declaration ? In any case, upon what evidence did 
the Secretary declare, that the government of the United 
States was forced into this step, in consequence of the 
interference of Great Britain with slavery in Texas ? 
Upon what principle of the Constitution did the American 
government interfere with Texas for such a cause ? — 
The plan of annexation, however, was strenuously pushed 
by its projectors. 

On the 22d of April, 1844, Mr. Tyler submitted to the 
Senate a Treaty of Annexation, which was soon after re- 
jected, and the question left open for public discussion.^ 

In consequence of the election of President Polk in 
November, 1844, and the apparent approval of annexa- 
tion by the people of the United States, Congress on the 
1st of March, 1845, passed what is called the Joint 
Resolution, giving its consent that the territory " right- 
fully belonging to the Republic of Texas" might be 
erected into a new State called the State of Texas ; sub- 
ject, however, to the adjustment by this government of 
" all questions of boundary that may arise with other 
governments." 

The terms of this Resolution admit that Texas might 
have claimed boundaries which were not rightfully belong- 
ing to her, and that these " questions of boundary" had yet 
to be settled. 

To the terms of the Joint Resolution, Texas assented 



' See the Public Documents of 1844 



^ 



GEN. TAYLOR ORDERED TO CORPUS CHRISTI. 19 

by her ordinance of July 4th, 1845, and having formed her 
Constitution, became virtually a State in the American 
Union.^ Two days after this (July 7th) the same Con- 
vention requested the President of the United States to 
occupy the ports of Texas, and send an army to their 
defence. This desire the President of the United States 
immediately complied with. 

General Zachary Taylor, then in command at Camp 
Jessup, was ordered to move his forces into Texas, weeks 
before the War Department had received information of 
the Texan ordinance. On the 28th of June, Mr. Donel- 
son, then minister to Texas, and to whom General Taylor 
was referred for advice upon his movements, wrote him 
that he had best move his forces " without delay to the 
western frontier of Texas," and also informing him that 
Corpus Christi, on Aranzas Bay, was the best point for 
the assembling of his troops. The same letter also ad- 
mitted that the country between the Nueces and the Rio 
Grande was in dispute, the Texans holding Corpus 
Christi and the Mexicans Santiago, at the mouth of the 
Rio Grande? 

General Taylor proceeded immediately with the forces 
under his command to Aranzas Bay, and in the beginning 
of August, 1845, had taken the position assigned him by the 
government. All the troops in the west, the northwest, and 
the Atlantic which could be spared, were ordered to join 
him. In November, 1845, by the report of the Adjutant- 
General, his army was composed as follows : — ^ 



' Documents of 1845. 

' Mr. Donelson's Letter 28th of June 1845.— Public Documents. 

' Adjutant-General's Report, November 26th, 1845. 



20 STRENGTH OF THE ARMY. 

General Staff 24 

2d Regiment of Dragoons - - - 596 

1st " of Artillery - - - 236 

, 2d " " " ... 233 

3d « '< <« ... 219 

4th " « " ... 235 

3d Regiment of Infantry - - - 533 

4th " u » ... 511 

5th «« " " ... 573 

7ih « " « ... 442 

8lh " « «' ... 447 

Aggregate - - - 4,049 

This was General Taylor's army in November, 1845, 
when, by the confession of the government, the territory 
between his position and Santiago, or rather, between the 
Nueces and the Rio Grande, was in dispute, and the 
subject of negotiation for boundaries. 

What, however, was at this moment the real position 
of affairs in regard to the question of war ? Was there any 
room to doubt that war was the necessary consequence 
of annexation ? Was there any thing to justify the total 
neglect of all preparation for so serious a conflict, as w^ar 
with a nation, however inferior, of seven millions of people? 
The facts, as we have reviewed them, are simple and 
brief. 

Mexico, hearing from the United States the distant 
rumors of an intended annexation of Texas, announces by 
Mr. Bocanegra to the American minister, that she will 
resent such an act at the expense of the disasters of war. 

In the same year, (1843,) and a few months later, the 
Mexican minister, General Almonte, reaffirms the same 



STATE OF THE QUESTION. 21 

fixed determination of his government in a letter to the 
American Secretary of State. 

When the act for annexation is passed, Almonte de- 
clares in his final note to the Secretary of State, that it is 
the most unjust act recorded in the annals of history ; 
protests against it ; declares that his government will resist 
it by all the means in its power; and demands his passports. 

The diplomatic correspondence of our government 
shows, that it apprehended war — that it knew well the 
sole cause by which war would come — and that in the 
minds of the President and his cabinet, the annexation of 
Texas, and its disputed boundaries, was the sole founda- 
tion for any rupture with Mexico. 

The march of General Taylor's army was evidently 
and declaredly' intended to meet the contingencies of 
such a rupture. 

The most remarkable fact in this transaction, is that, 
with this apprehension of war vividly impressed upon 
the mind of the government, the President should never 
have asked Congress for one dollar of money, or one 
company of soldiers in addition to the provisions of the 
peace establishment ! Upon what principle was it as- 
sumed, that an entire province could be wrested from 
one empire and give no cause for war ? Upon what idea 
of prudence or sagacity was all preparation for that war 
neglected, till battles were already fought, and the op- 
posing nation excited by all the worst feelings of national 
and martial controversy ? 

The effect of this neglect we shall see in the series of 
subsequent events. 

* See Douelfion's Correspondence. 



22 WAR INEVITABLE. 



CHAPTER II. 

War inevitable — General Scott at Washington — Recommends an increase/ 
of the Army — Mission of Mr. Slidell — Downfall of Herrera — Departure 
of Slidell — General Taylor marches from Corpus Christi — Arrives at 
Point Isabel — In front of Metamoras — Capture of Captain Thornton's 
party — March of General Taylor to Point Isabel — Battles of Palo Altor 
and Resaea de la Palma — Taylor's Official Report. 

We have traced in the preceding chapter the negotia- 
tions of the United States vv^ith Mexico and Texas to that 
point, in which the Mexican Secretary for Foreign Af- 
fairs, and the Mexican minister at Washington, officially 
announced that the annexation of Texas to the United 
States would be considered just cause of war, and the lat- 
ter had departed from Washington with hostile declara- 
tions. That this declaration was believed, and that war 
would result from that act, the American Charge d^ Af- 
faires in Texas (Mr. Donelson) shows in his entire cor- 
respondence. In his letter of June 4th, 1845, to the Sec- 
retary of State, he declares his full belief that war will 
occur, although he chose to attribute it to the instigation 
of the British minister, Mr. Elliott. 

Mr. Donelson makes this remarkable announcement : — 
" I look upon war with Mexico as inevitable — a war- 
dictated by the British minister here for the purpose of 
defeating annexation, and intended at all events to deprive 
both Texas and the United States of all claim to the 
country between the Nueces and the Rio Grande, at the 



WAR INEVITABLE. 23 

time the right of Texas to the protection of the United 
States arises under the contingency anticipated by you at 
the date of your last despatch to me." 

The " contingency" here spoken of by the Charge, was 
stated in Mr. Buchanan's letter of May 23d, 1845, and 
was simply the acceptance, by Texas, of the conditions of 
annexation stated in the joint resolution of Congress. 

The question of " boundaries" was by that resolution 
and by all prior negotiations, left open for future discus- 
sion. Mr. Buchanan, therefore, cautiously uses the term 
" state," in reference to the annexation of Texas, and tells 
Mr. Donelson (23d of May, 1845) that, in the event of 
annexation, the President will deem it his duty to " em- 
ploy the army in defending that state against the attacks 
of any foreign power." It was the state of Texas, what- 
ever that might be, which, in May, 1845, the President 
undertook to defend, and not any imaginary boundary, 
or supposed claim of Texas beyond the Nueces, the Rio 
Grande, or any other stream. 

Under the idea, however, as expressed in his letter of 
the 4th of June, that war was inevitable, Mr. Donelson 
asks the government for an army to defend the supposed 
frontier of Texas, and it is under this requisition that the 
corps of General Taylor was ordered to Corpus Christi, 
and became, in another year, the invading army of Mex- 
ico ! The cause of the war — the manner in which it was 
to arise and to be carried on, are projected and shadowed 
out so minutely in the diplomatic correspondence of 
Messrs. Buchanan and Donelson, as to leave the historian 
of these events no doubtful points to discuss. If they are 
not certain and fixe^ on the map of Time, in vain shall 
we look for any faithful volume of human transactions. 



24 , OBJECTS OF THE ARMY. 

What was in prospect for the army when arrived in 
Texas, and its purpose there, is thus stated by Mr. Don- 
elson : — 

" Under such circunnstances, the officer intended for 
the connnnand of the United States troops on the Texan 
frontier may expect to find a large force of the enemy there ; 
and it is suggested whether that officer ought not at once 
to be selected, and ordered to some near and convenient 
point for the purpose of communicating with me, and 
providing the most prompt means of action the moment 
he is advised of the decision of the Convention of Texas 
on the terms of union proposed in our joint resolution." 

The requisition of Mr. Donelson was complied with. 
An express was sent to General Taylor, at Fort Jessup ; 
his troops were ordered into Texas ; and Captain Stock- 
ton was ordered with a squadron into the Gulf of Mexico ; 
both with the avowed object of repelling the attacks of 
Mexico, — an anticipated consequence of annexation.^ 

During this period General Scott was at Washington, 
in the diligent performance of his military duties as the 
commander of the army, without taking any public part 
in the political discussions of the day. 

The commander of the army, even on the peace estab- 
lishment of the United States, must necessarily carry on an 
extensive coirespondence, and have the oversight of many 
and various departments of the public service. General 
Scott found ample scope for his official talents and time, in 
both the superintendence and the anticipation of the wants 
and means of the army. At the time General Taylor was 
despatched to the frontier of Texas, the American army 

* Mr. Buchanan's letter to Mr. Donelson, dated June 15th, 1845. 



INCREASE OF THE ARMY. 25 

was actually of less numerical strength than it had been 
in any year since 1808 ! And yet the official documents 
prove that at that very moment of time the government 
vi^as in daily expectation of war ; and yet the Executive 
did not ask from Congress an additional regiment, nor did 
Congress anticipate the need of additional means !^ 

General Scott, however, in his annual report upon the 
state of the army, recommended, what the other depart- 
ments of the government seem strangely to have over- 
looked, — a small increase of the army. He pointed out a 
very easy method of doing this, without raising additional 
regiments, or even requiring additional officers. During 
the presidency of Mr. Monroe, and while Mr. Calhoun 
was Secretary at War, (and, indeed, upon his recom- 
mendation,) the plan had been adopted of having skeleton 
regiments, in which all the officers were retained, but the 
number of privates reduced one-half. The reason for 
this was very strong. It was that, having all the officers 
ready, and a skeleton of the regiment, the number of the 
army might be doubled, in time of emergency, by new 
enlistments, without the expense of permanent mainten- 
ance. Accordingly, the regiments of artillery and infantry 
had but forty-two 'privates in each company, when the 
number should have been eighty-four. The Military 
Academy had furnished a large number of valuable offi- 
cers, many of whom were attached to the regiments by 
brevet. 

General Scott proposed to increase the army, simply 
by filling up these skeleton companies, and giving em- 

' The President twice in his Message (December, 1845) alluded to the 
danger of a war with Mexico ; but recommended nothing for the army. 
C 



26 scott's recommendation. 

ployment lo these brevet officers. In his report (Novem- 
ber 20lh, 1845) he says : 

" By adding ten privates to each company of dragoons, 
now fifty privates each, and twenty privates to each com- 
pany of artillery and infantry, now forty-two privates each, 
of the present establishment, we should have a total in- 
crease (by this plan) for twenty companies of dragoons, 
forty of artillery, and eighty of infantry, of twenty-six 
hundred privates — without the addition of a regiment, or 
of one non-commissioned officer, musician, or artificer. 
See organization (table) of the regular army of the Uni- 
ted States, Army Register. But, in this case, an ad- 
ditional subaltern (second lieutenant) to each company of 
dragoons and infantry (one hundred) would be necessary. 
There are, at present, about ninety-five brevet second 
lieutenants (graduates of the Military Academy — strangely 
called supernumerary by act of April 29, 1812, sec. 4) 
attached to companies, and doing duty with them. These 
officers would be absorbed, by promotion, should this 
second plan of augmentation be carried out, and the 
future supernumerary or brevet second lieutenants (grad- 
uates of the x\cademy) be kept down, for a series of 
years, to a small number — not more than sufficient to sup- 
ply three officers constantly on duly with each company, 
and to give others for staff and detached duties which the 
progress of the service will, in five or seven years, cer- 
tainly demand." 

This was General Scott's recommendation without 
looking at the question of war with Mexico ; although it 
now appears from official documents, that the war was 
then in the contemplation of the cabinet. Had the Presi- 
dent recommended, and Congress acceded to even this 



MEXICANS WILLING TO TREAT. 27 

small increase of the military force, it may be doubted 
whether the invasion of Mexico, and the sanguinary bat- 
tles which followed, would ever have occurred. General 
Taylor's army would have been increased early in the 
spring, and the Mexican general would, not improbably, 
have refrained from an^ attack, to which he was tempted 
and invited by the weakness of the American force. 

In the autumn previous to this report, but after General 
Taylor's army were assembled at Corpus Christi, and 
while war was apparently inevitable, the President again 
resorted to negotiation by means of an indirect cor- 
respondence with Mr. Black, American consul at Mex- 
ico. The Mexican government was inquired of,^ whether 
they would receive an envoy, " intrusted with full 
powers to adjust all the questions in dispute between 
the two governments." The Mexican Minister for 
Foreign Affairs (Manuel De La Pena Y. Peiia) acceded 
to this proposition, provided the mission was frank and 
free, without the appearance of coercion — and that the 
American squadron, then off Vera Cruz, was recalled.^ 
In saying this, and making other statements to the 
American agents, the Mexican cabinet alleged, that 
they wished to avoid irritation in the people of Mexico ; 
and in fact, intimated that the existing administration 
was, as to this point, weak — and feared the appearance 
of yielding too readily to the wishes of the United 
States. The Mexican government desired peace ; but 
feared the popular excitement. 

The cabinet at Washington immediately appointed Mr. 



* Mr. Buchanan's Letter to Mr. Black, September 17th, 1845. 
» Mr. Pena Y. Pena, (October 18th, 1845,) to Mr. Black. 



28 MR. SLIDELL NOT RECEIVED. 

John Slidell envoy to Mexico. He arrived at Sacri- 
ficios on the 29th of November,^ and hastened to the 
city of Mexico. At Puebla, he was met by our consul, 
(Mr. Black,) who informed him that the Mexican gov- 
ernment were surprised that the United States had sent 
an envoy so suddenly — that they were not prepared to 
receive him — that he was not expected till January — 
and in fine, that they were afraid his appearance would 
prove destructive to the government, and thus defeat 
the intentions of peace.^ Mr. Slidell seems not to have 
understood the obvious position of the Mexican min- 
ister, nor to have subjected his impatience, in any degree, 
to the dictates of prudence. He hurried on, and from 
the 6th to the 20th of December, but two weeks, ad- 
dressed three imperative notes to Mr. Pena Y. Pena, 
demanding the consideration of his credentials, and an 
answer to his demand. The Mexican administration 
was in instant danger of dissolution, and desired delay, 
that they might better secure peace. The effect of Mr. 
Slidell's imperative haste was, to defeat the peaceful 
intentions of the Mexican government, and hurry it to 
an abrupt denial of the American minister. On the 20th 
of December, twelve days from the date of his first note, 
Mr. Slidell was ofi&cially informed, that the Mexican 
government could not admit him " to the exercise of 
the functions of the mission conferred on him by the 
United States ^overnment."^ The ground of the re- 



' Mr. Black to Mr. Buchanan, December 18th, 1845.. 
" Mr. Black's Letter to Buchanan, December 18th, 1845. Slidell's Let- 
ter to Buchanan, December 17th, 1845. 

' M. Pena Y Pena's Letter to Slidell, December 20th, 1845. 



REASONS GIVEN. 29 

fusal was, that the American envoy was appointed as a 
general and ordinary nninister — when, in consequence of 
the interrupted and broken relations between the two 
nations, he should have been appointed a commissioner 
to settle the specific differences which were in dispute 
between the countries. The diplomatic correspondence, 
however, proves conclusively, that a fear of impending 
revolution, as a consequence of negotiating with the 
United States, was hurried to a premature crisis by the 
untimely importunities of Mr. Slidell. The dreaded 
revolution took place, and in nine days after, (the 29th 
of December,) the administration of President Herrera 
was overthrown. His successor, Paredes, was a mili,- 
tary chief — who, on the 2d January, (1846,) was ush- 
ered by the troops into the capital of Mexico. A tempo- 
rary government was soon formed, of which General 
Almonte, late minister to the United States, was a lead- 
ing member.^ 

Mr. Slidell retired to Jalapa, where he remained till 
March, when under instructions from the Department of 
State, he again made overtures to the Mexican govern- 
ment.^ To this new proposition, the Mexican minister 
for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Coslillo Y. Lanzas) again re- 
turned an unequivocal denial.^ He informed the Ameri- 
can envoy, that it was the firm intention of the Mexican 
government to admit only a plenipotentiary from the 
United States, clothed " with special powers to treat 



* Slidoll to Buchanan, January 14th, 1846. 

" Slidell to Costillo Y. Lanzas, March 1st, 1846. 

» Costillo Y. Lanzas to Slidell, March 12th, 1846. 

c2 



30 TROOPS ORDERED TO THE RIO GRANDE. 

upon the question of Texas, and upon this alone ;" and 
that upon this point its resolve was immutable. When 
this answer was returned, the reader of history will ob- 
serve, that General Taylor's troops had already taken 
position on the Rio Grande, and that their presence there 
was deemed, in Mexico, a new wrong and injury^ to that 
republic. 

This letter closed, on the part of Mexico, its diplo- 
matic correspondence with the United States. On the 
21st of March, Mr. Costillo Y. Lanzas enclosed to Mr. 
Slidell his passports from the Mexican territories. 

Long before this final refusal of the Mexican govern- 
ment to receive Mr. Slidell, the President of the United 
States had determined to take the initial, and advance 
his troops to the Rio Grande. On the 20th of January, 
Mr. Buchanan informed Mr. Slidell, that the President 
had already ordered the army of Texas to advance and 
take position on the left bank of the Rio Grande, and a 
strong fleet to assemble in the Gulf of Mexico.^ This 
was done before the answer of Mr. Pena Y. Pena was 
known at Washington ; and when the Mexican govern- 
ment had earnestly desired that no appearance of co- 
ercion should be allowed. 

The order, by which the army was moved from Corpus 
Christi to the Rio Grande, was dated January 13th, 
1846, before the government had received the cor- 
respondence of Slidell with Pena Y. Pena, and before 
it knew of the overthrow of Herrera, and the accession 



' General Taylor's Report, March 8th, 1846. 
» Buchanan to Slidell, January 20th, 1846. 



GENERAL TAYLOR's ORDERS. 31 

of Paredes.^ It suggested to General Taylor the 
"points opposite Metamoras and Mier, and the vicinity 
of Laredo," as stations for the American army.^ 

On the 8th of March, the advance column of the 
army under Colonel Twiggs commenced its march from 
Corpus Christi,^ and on the 18th, the whole was con- 
centrated near the banks of the Arroga Colorado, about 
thirty miles from Metamoras. Here a party of irregular 
Mexican cavalry (rancheros) appeared on the opposite 
banks, and signified to the officer making a reconnais- 
sance, that an attempt to pass the river would be an act 
of hostility.^ Notwithstanding this notice, the army 
crossed the river on the 20th, and on the 25th, established 
its position at Point Isabel ; the buildings of which the 
Mexican prefect attempted to burn, as he left the place.^ 
On the 28th of March, General Taylor took his posi- 
tion within cannon range of Metamoras.^ The Mexican 
forces in the town commenced preparing batteries to 
bear on the American camp ; and General Taylor also, 
erected batteries to command Metamoras. Such was 
the position of the parties, when a conference was held 
between Generals Worth and La Vega as to the objects 



' Public Documents. Secretary Marcy's Letter to General Taylor, 
January 13th, 1846. 

" These were Mexican towns, in sight of which, and on territory claimed 
by Mexico, the army was directed to take post. 

' General Taylor's Report, March 8th, 1846. 

* General Taylor's Letter, 21st of March, 1846 

' General Taylor's Report, March 25th. 

" General Taylor's Report, March 29th. Li this letter he states, that 
a battery of four pieces had been so mounted, as to conunand the public 
square of. Metamoras. 



32 WAR UNAVOIDABLE. 

in advancing the arnriy. The conference was fruitless of 
any resuhs. 

At this lime, it was obvious to all intelligent minds that 
war was unavoidable. The crisis — to which the annexa- 
tion of Texas clearly pointed — had come. Mr. Slidell 
had received his final rejection from Mr. Costillo Y. Lan- 
zas, on the 12th of March. On the 8th, (four days before,) 
the army had marched from Corpus Chrisli to the Rio 
Grande. It had now arrived in front of Metanaoras, 
where the forces of Mexico were arrayed, and where the 
declarations of officers, the armament of batteries, and all 
the paraphernalia of martial display, indicated an instant 
conflict.' Notwithstanding all these plain indications of 
war, the movements of the administration at home exhibit- 
ed no symptoms of any thing but unbroken and continued 
peace. The recommendations of General Scott for an 
increase of the army were disregarded. The President 
and Congress moved placidly on, as if neither arms or 
money, strength or blood were required to secure its easy 
victory over a weak and effeminate foe. Some prepara- 
tions had heretofore been deemed necessary by statesmen 
to meet the exigencies of war, even with very inferior 
powers. In this instance, there was none. . The official 
returns show that one-half the entire army of the United 
States was in the corps of General Taylor, while various 
military posts and forts in the northwest and on the At- 
lantic, were entirely deprived of their garrisons to make 
up the forces on the Rio Grande.^ Even this army was 
almost totally without the wagons, animals, and drivers ne- 
cessary for common field transportation. They had to be 

* Report of General Scott. Public Documents of 1845. 



CAPTURE OF CAPTAIN THORNTON. 33 

procured in the heart of the country, at places near two 
thousand miles from the scene of operations.^ The march 
of the American army to the Rio Grande — the erection 
of batteries within gunshot of Metamoras — the appearance 
of Mexican parties on the Arroga Colorado — the notice 
by them that the passage of that stream by the American 
troops would be considered an act of war — and the con- 
centration of large bodies of Mexican troops, known to 
have been marched to that vicinity — all announced, by no 
uncertain indications, that the conflict of war was about 
to commence, and the annexation of Texas to be followed 
by its natural and necessary consequences. 

On the 24th of April, General Arista assumed the chief 
command of the army of Mexico, On the same day 
General Taylor detached a party of 63 dragoons to watch 
the course of the river above Metamoras. This party, 
under the command of Captain Thornton, were watched 
by the Mexicans, and at a point about thirty miles from 
the American camp, were surprised and attacked. After 
the loss of sixteen men killed and wounded, they were 
compelled to surrender to the superior forces of the Mex- 
icans, who in large numbers had surrounded them in a 
fenced plantation field.^ This was the first actual fight 
of the war, and was received by the Mexicans as an au- 
gury favorable, but fallacious in the events which follow- 
ed, to their success. General Arista, desirous of making 
a favorable impression, treated his prisoners with distin- 
guished respect and kindness. 



^ See the Letter of Colonel Cross, dated November 23d, 1845, detailing 
the fact, that the army had no means of field transportation whatever. — 
Public Doc. 119, 29th Congress. 

" Captain Haidce^s Report, April 26th, 184G.— Pub. Doc. 119. 



34 ATTACK ON FORT BROWN. 

Three days after this affair, the camp of Captain Walk- 
er's Texan Rangers was surprised, and several killed and 
wounded.^ This was between Point Isabel and Meta- 
moras. In the mean while, it was ascertained that a large 
body of the Mexican army had crossed the river (Rio 
Grande) above,^ and that another corps was about to cross 
below. General Taylor was convinced that the object of 
attack was Point Isabel, which had been left in care of a 
small detachment, and where a large depot of provisions 
invited the enemy. Leaving an unfinished field-work, 
under the command of Major Brown, and garrisoned by 
the 7th infantry, with Lowd's and Bragg's companies of 
artillery, he marched for Point Isabel on the 1st of May, 
with his main force, and arrived on the next day. 

The departure of General Taylor with his army, fur- 
nished the enemy in Metamoras with the opportunity for a 
safe attack on Fort Brown. At five in the morning of the 
3d of May, a heavy bombardment was commenced from 
,the batteries in Metamoras, and continued at intervals till 
the 10th, when the gallant defenders of the fort were re- 
lieved. In this defence, Major Brown, Captain Hawkins, 
and Captain Mansfield were greatly distinguished, both 
for skill and gallantry. The former was killed by a shell, 
and the defence was vigorously continued by Captain 
Hawkins. Captain Mansfield was an engineer officer, 
under whose direction the fort was built, and by whose 
skilful conduct the defences were increased and strength- 
ened during the siege .^ 

The siege of Fort Brown was raised by the arrival of 



' General Taylor's Report, May 3d, 1&46. Captain Walker was not 
present. ^ Same. — Pub. Doc. 119. 

* Reports of Major Brown, Captain Hawkias, and General Taylor. 



FORT BROWN RELIEVED. 



3^ 



the victorious army of Taylor, which had just fought the 
battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. It appears 
that General Arista, who was now in command of the 
Mexican army, had assembled in all about eight thousand 
men at Metamoras, and being well advised of the strength 
of the American forces, thought the time had arrived for 
a decisive blow. The capture of Captain Thornton's 
party had also emboldened the Mexican troops. Arista 
saw that Point Isabel, the depot of large quantities of 
provisions and military munitions, was comparatively de- 
fenceless. To take this place would, therefore, both cut 
off the supplies of Taylor's army, and leave it isolated in 
the heart of the enemy's country. The plan of Arista 
was to cross the Rio Grande, get in the rear of General 
Taylor's army, capture Point Isabel, and then fall on the 
American army.^ The plan was judicious, and was only 
prevented from being carried out, by the accidental infor- 
mation brought to General Taylor by one of Thornton's 
party — sent in by the Mexican commander !^ The rapid 
return of the army to Point Isabel was a consequence of 
this information, and the additional fact that the enemy 
was preparing to cross below. Either the Mexican army 
was dilatory in its movement, or the body detailed to 
cross below was unable to form a junction, for the forces of 
Taylor reached the depot at Isabel without encountering 
the enemy. 

Having obtained the object of his expedition, and gar- 
risoned the depot with new troops, the American general 

* This is an inference from the facts stated by General Taylor. 

" General Taylor states in his letter of May .3d, that in consequence of 
the deficiency in light troops, he was " kept ignorant" of the enemy's 
movements. 



36 BATTLE OF PALO ALTO. 

commenced his return to Fort Brown on the 7th of May, 
a week after his departure. The army was accompanied 
by a train of wagons, and encamped at night about seven 
miles from Isabel. The next day (the 8th) the march 
was resumed, and at noon the enemy was discovered 
drawn up in battle array upon a prairie three miles from 
the Palo Alto. The army was halted, and the men re- 
freshed at a pool. The line was formed in two wings. 
The right, commanded by Colonel Twiggs, was composed 
of the 5th Infantry, Colonel Mcintosh ; 3d Infantry, Cap- 
tain Morris ; 4th Infantry, Major Allen ; Ringgold's Light 
Artillery ; two eighteen-pounders under Lt. Churchill ; 
and two squadrons of Dragoons under Captains Ker and 
-May. The left wing, under the command of Lt. Colonel 
Belknap, was formed by a battalion of Artillery, Colonel 
Childs, Captain Duncan's Light Artillery, and the 8th 
Infantry, under Captain Montgomery. The train was left 
in the rear, protected by a guard. 

At two p. M., the army advanced by heads of columns, 
till the Mexican cannon opened upon them, when they 
were deployed into line, and Ringgold's Light Artillery 
on the right, poured forth its rapid and deadly fire on the 
enemy. The Mexican cavalry, mostly Lancers, were on 
their left, and were forced back by the destructive dis- 
charges of artillery. To remedy this,. General Arista or- 
dered Torrejon, general of cavalry, to charge the Anjerican 
right. This he did, but was met by the Flying Artillery, 
undexLt. Ridgely, and by the 5lli Infantry. The Lan- 
cers were again driven back. At this period the prairie 
grass was set on fire, and under cover of its smoke the 
Americans advanced to the position just occupied by the 
Mexican cavalry. Again a Mexican division of Lancers 



MAJOR RINGGOLD WOUNDED. 37 

charged, under the command of Col. Montero,^ but with 
as Httle success. The continuous fire of artillery disor- 
dered and drove back the enemy's columns. On the left 
wing of our army, attacks of the Mexicans were met by 
Duncan's battery, and by other troops of that division. 
The combat on our side was chiefly carried on by artil- 
lery ; and never was there a more complete demonstration 
of the superior skill and energy of that Arm of service, as 
conducted by the accomplished graduates of West-Point. 
(jHe who was the life and leader of the Light Artillery, 
— Major Ringgold — was in this engagement mortally 
wounded, and died in a few days, j 

The battle terminated with the possession, by the 
Americans, of the field, and the retreat during the night 
of the Mexicans. Arista, dating his despatch, says, " in 
sight of the enemy, at night.^'' This might be true ; but 
he was in retreat, and took a new position several miles 
off, at Resaca de la Palma. A ravine here crossed the 
road, and on either side it was skirted with dense thickets. 
This ravine was occupied by the Mexican artillery. The 
position was well chosen ; and with troops better skilled 
in the use of artillery, and with greater energy of body, 
might have easily been defended. 

General Taylor had encamped on the field of battle, 
from which he did not depart till two p. m. the next day. 
In two hours, the American army came in sight of the 
Mexican array. The dispositions of our troops were soon 
made. A battery of artillery, under Lt. Ridgely, moved 
up the main road, while the 3d, 4th, and 5th Regiments 
of Infantry deployed on cither flank to support it and act 

^ Arista's Despatch. 



38 / BATTLE OF RESACA DE LA PALMA 

as skirmishers. The action commenced by the fire of the 
Mexican artillery, which was returned by Ridgely's bat- 
tery and by the infantry on the wings. In this firing, the 
Mexican cannon were well managed by Generals La Vega 
and Requena, and the effect began to be severely felt on 
the American lines. It was necessary to dislodge them ; 
and this duty was assigned to Captain May of the Dra- 
goons. It was here that this officer became so distin- 
guished. The charge was gallantly made. The Dragoons 
cut through the enemy. The artillerymen were dispersed, 
and General La Vega taken prisoner. The Dragoons, 
however, had advanced beyond support, and in turn fell 
back on the main body. The regiments of infantry now 
charged the Mexican line, and the battle was soon ended. 
Their columns, now broken by successive charges, were 
unable to bear the continued and well-directed fire poured 
upon them by both infantry and artillery. They fled pre- 
cipitately from the field, and were rapidly pursued by the 
American rearguard. The Mexicans lost many prisoners, 
and ceased not their flight till they either crossed or were 
overwhelmed in the waters of the Rio Grande. In these 
engagements neither cowardice nor feebleness was attribu- 
ted to them. They fought gallantly, behaved well, and were 
only conquered by that union of physical strength and 
superior skill, with which some nations are fortunately 
gifted, by the natural influence of climate and the artificial 
developments of science. 

In these engagements the commander of the American 
forces, General Zachary Taylor, displayed the utmost 
coolness and bravery — exposing himself in the most dan- 
gerous positions, and encouraging the troops by his heroic 
example. After the battles were ended, his attention to 



GEN. tavlok's despatches. 39 

the wounded and tiie dying, whether friend or foe, evinced 
that sympathy with suffering humanity which is ever in- 
separable from true courage. 

We here insert the official report : 

Headquarters Army of Occupation, ) 

Camp at Palo Alto, Texas, May 9, 1846. ^ 

Sir : — I have the honor to report that I was met near this 
place yesterday, on my march from Point Isabel, by the 
Mexican forces, and after an action of about five hours, dis- 
lodged them from their position, and encamped upon the field. 
Our artillery, consisting of two 18-pounders and two light 
batteries, was the arm chiefly engaged, and to the excellent 
manner in which it was manoeuvred and served is our suc- 
cess mainly due. 

The strength of the enemy is believed to have been about 
six thousand men, with seven pieces of artillery, and eight 
hundred cavalry. His loss is probably at least one hundred 
killed. Our strength did not exceed, all told, twenty-three 
hundred, while our loss was comparatively trifling — four men 
killed, three officers and thirty-seven men vi'ounded, several 
of the latter mortally. I regret to say that Major Pvinggold, 
3d artillery, and Captain Paige, 4th infantry, are severely 
wounded. Lieut. Luther, 2d artillery, slightly so. 

The enemy has fallen back, and it is believed has repassed 
the river. I have advanced parties now thrown forward in 
his direction, and shall move the main body immediately. 

In the haste of this first report, I can only say that the 
officers and men behaved in the most admirable manner 
throughout the action. I shall have the pleasure of making 
a. more detailed report when those of the different commanders 
ahall be received, 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 
Brevet Brigadier-general, U. S. A. Commandiug. 



40 GEN. Taylor's despatches. 

Headquarters Army of Occupation, "i 

Camp at Rosaca de ia Palma, 3 miles from Matamoras, > 

10 o'clock, p. M.— May 9, 1846. ) 

Sir : — I have the honor to report that I marched with the 
main body of the army at 2 o'clock to-day, having previously 
thrown forward a body of light infantry into the forest, 
which covers the Matamoras road. When near the spot 
where I am now encamped, my advance discovered that a 
ravine crossing the road had been occupied by the enemy 
with artillery. I immediately ordered a battery of field 
artillery to sweep the position, flanking and sustaining it by 
the 3d, 4th, and 5th regiments, deployed as skirmishers to the 
right and left. A heavy fire of artillery and of musketry 
was kept up for some time, until finally the enemy's batteries 
were carried in succession by a squadron of dragoons and the 
regiments of infantry that were on the ground. He was soon 
driven from his position, and pursued by a squadron of dra- 
goons, battalion of artillery, 3d infantry, and a light battery, 
to the river. Our victory has been complete. Eight pieces 
of artillery, with a great quantity of ammunition, three 
standards, and some one hundred prisoners have been taken ; 
among the latter, Gen. La Vega, and several other officers. 
One general is understood to have been killed. The enemy 
has recrossed the river, and I am sure will not again molest 
us on this bank. 

The loss of the enemy in killed has been most severe. 
Our own has been very heavy, and I deeply regret to report 
that Lieut, Inge, 2d dragoons, Lieut. Cochrane, 4th infantry, 
and Lieut. Chadbourne, 8th infantry, were killed on the 
field. Lieut. Col. Payne, 4th artillery, Lieut. Col. Mcintosh, 
Lieut. Dobbins, 3d infantry, Capt. Hooe, and Lieut. Fowler, 
5th infantry, and Capt. Montgomery, Lieuts. Gates, Selden, 
McClay, Burbank and Jordan, 8th infantry, were wounded. 
The extent of our loss in killed and wounded is not yet ascer- 
tained, and is reserved for a more detailed report. 



GEN. Taylor's despatches. 41 

The affair of to-day may be regarded as a proper supple- 
ment to the cannonade of yesterday ; and the two taken to- 
gether, exhibit the coolness and gallantry of our officers and 
men in the most favorable light. All have done their duty, 
and done it nobly. It will be my pride in a more circum- 
stantial report of both actions, to dwell upon particular in- 
stances of individual distinction. 

It affords me peculiar pleasure to report that the field-work 
opposite Matamoras has sustained itself handsomely during a 
cannonade and bombardment of 168 hours. But the pleasure 
is alloyed with profound regret at the loss of its heroic and 
indomitable commander. Major Brown, who died to-day from 
the effect of a shell. His loss would be a severe one to the 
service at any time, but to the army under my orders, it is 
indeed irreparable. One officer and one non-commissioned 
officer killed, and ten men wounded, comprise all the casual- 
ties incident to this severe bombardment. 

I inadvertently omitted to mention the capture of a large 
number of pack mules left in the Mexican camp. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 
Brevet Brigadier-general, U. S. Army Commanding. 

[Orders No. 59.] 
1. The commanding general congratulates the army under 
his command upon the signal success which has crowned its 
recent operations against the enemy. The coolness and 
steadiness of the troops during the action of the 8th, and the 
brilliant impetuosity with which the enemy's position and ar- 
tillery were carried on the 9th, have displayed the best 
qualities of the American soldier. To every officer and 
soldier of his command the general publicly returns his 
thanks for the noble manner in which they have sustained 
the honor of the service and of the country. While the main 
body o^ the army has been thus actively employed, the gar- 
d2 



42 GEN. Taylor's despatches. 

rison left opposite Matamoras has rendered no less distin- 
guished service by sustaining a severe cannonade and bom- 
bardment of many successive days. The army and the 
country, while justly rejoicing in this triumph of our arms, 
will deplore the loss of many brave officers and men who fell 
gallantly in the hour of combat. 

2. It being necessary for the commanding general to visit 
Point Isabel on public business, Colonel Twiggs will assume 
command of the corps of the army near Matamoras, including 
the garrison of the field-work. He will occupy the former 
lines of the army, making such dispositions for defence and 
for the comfort of his command as he may deem advisable. 
He will hold himself strictly on the defensive until the return 
of the commanding general. 

By order of Brigadier-general Taylor. 

W. W. J. Buss, Act. Adjutant General. 

HEADaUARTKRS ArMY OF OCCUPATION, ) 

Point Isabel, Texas, May 12, 1846. \ 
Sir : — I am making a hasty visit to this place, for the pur- 
pose of having an interview with Commodore Connor, whose 
squadron is now at anchor oft' the harbor, and arranging with 
him a combined movement up the river. I avail myself of 
the brief lime at my command to report that the main body 
of tlie army is now occupying its former position opposite 
Matamoras. The Mexican forces are almost disoi'ganized, 
and I shall lose no time in investing Matamoras, and opening 
the navigation of the river. 

I regret to report that Major Ringgold died the morning of 
the 11th ihst., of the severe wounds received in the action of 
Palo Alto. With the exception of Capt. Paige, whose wound 
is dangerous, the other wounded officers are doing well. In 
my report of the second engagement, I accidentally omitted 
the name of Lieut. Dobbins, 3d infantry, among the officers 
slightly wounded, and desire that the omission may be sup- 
plied iu the despatch itself. I am under the painful necessity 
of reporting that Lieut. Blake, topographical engineers, tifter 
rendering distinguished service in my staff during the affair 



GEN. Taylor's despatches. 43 

of the 8th inst., accidentally shot himself with a pistol on the 
following day, and expired before night. 

It has been quite impossible as yet to furnish detailed re- 
ports of our engagements with the enemy, or even accurate 
returns of the killed and wounded. Our loss is not far from 
3 officers and 40 men killed, and 13 officers and 100 men 
wounded ; while that of the enemy has in all probability ex- 
ceeded 300 killed ; more than 200 have been buried by us 
on the two fields of battle. 

I have exchanged a sufficient number of prisoners to re- 
cover the command of Captain Thornton. The wounded 
prisoners have been sent to Matamoras — the wounded officers 
on their parole. General La Vega and a few other officers 
have been sent to New Orleans, having declined a parole, 
and will be reported to Maj. Gen. Gaines. I am not con- 
versant with the usages of war in such cases, and ^beg that 
such provision may be made for these prisoners as may be 
authorized by law. Our own prisoners have been treated 
with great kindness by the Mexican officers. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOK, 
Brevet Brigadier-general, U. S. A. Commanding. 

The RESULT of these battles, however, was fatal. The 
Mexican republic lost all power, either present or future, of 
retaining one foot of that vast territorial empire which they 
once held east of the Rio Grande. The conquerors were 
tempted, in the flush of victory, to carry their arms beyond 
that melancholy river ; — to seek for glory in conquests ; 
— to find the gratification of dominion in foreign lands ; — 
— to indulg^e the rapacious lust of power ; — to leave fields 
fertile in blessings for others fertile only in blood ; — and 
finally, to make it uncertain whether even the best of Re- 
' publics can resist the universal tendency of man to build 
up Empires — by the destruction of Justice. 



44 president's message. 



CHAPTER III. 

Action of Congress. — Declaration of the President. — Legislation. — General 
Scott's Views of the War. — His Comments on the Plan of Campaign. 
— His Correspondence with Secretary Marcy. — The Grounds for his 
Opinions. — Is ordered to remain at Washington. 

The news of the capture of Captain Thornton's party- 
was received with great surprise by the nation, and the 
government. Notwithstanding all the acts of the United 
States and Mexico, both diplomatic and legislative, during 
the previous four years, had tended to this and no other 
result ; and notwithstanding General Taylor had been 
ordered to the Rio Grande with four thousand regular 
troops, yet neither people nor President seem to have 
realized that war was actually near at hand. They appear 
to have relied upon some invisible Providence to prevent 
a catastrophe, which to a reasonable mind, and especially 
to one imbued with the spirit of a statesman, seemed 
inevitable.^ 

The intelligence of hostilities on the Rio Grande, was 
therefore received with astonishment, and for a time 
occasioned a powerful excitement. Congress was then in 
session, and the President immediately sent in an ex- 
traordinary Message.^ In this, he declared tliat the 



f ' Mr. Clay declared in the canvass of 1844, that the annexation of 
Texas was equivalent to a war with Mexico, and that war mast follow. 
■ * President's Message, dated the 11th of May, 1846. 



president's message, 45 

Mexican government had " at last invaded our territory, 
and shed the blood of our fellow-citizens on our own soil." 
In the same Message, and in the paragraph immediately- 
following, he stated that Mr. Slidell was sent to Mexico 
with full powers to adjust all the questions in dispute be- 
tween the two governments, " both the questions of the 
Texas bou7idary, and of indemnification to our citizens." 
The boundary in dispute was the western boundary of 
Texas only, and hence this was a clear admission, that 
the territory adjacent was in dispute, and was not our 
soil, till the question of boundary was settled. 

Congress, however, with less than two days' delibera- 
tion, adopted the declaration of the President, and de- 
clared that, " by the act of the Republic of Mexico, a 
state of war exists between that government and the 
United States." At the same time, that body authorized 
the President to accept the services of fifty thousand 
volunteers, and placed ten millions of dollars at his dis- 
posal. The intention was to put an end to the war, by a 
vigorous effort and decisive victories. The President 
declared that m his opinion, " the immediate appearance 
in arms of a large and overpowering force," would be the 
best means of producmg peace.^ 

Just two days before this declaration, the decisive 
battle of Resaca de la Palma had been fought, and the 
army of Arista pursued beyond the Rio Grande. We are 
now to see what plans the government had formed for the 
further prosecution of the war. 



' The term most commonly used to express this idea was " to conquer 
a peace." The original autliorship of this phrase appears to belong to the 
poet Coleridge. — See Cottle's Reminiscences. 



46 PLANS FOR THE WAR. 

At this time, General Scott, as commander of the army, 
was stationed at Washington, engaged in arranging and 
superintending the various staff duties of the army. He 
would be naturally consulted on the plans to be formed, 
and the means to execute them. This was the case. Im- 
mediately after the act of Congress of the 13th of May was 
passed, he was invited to call upon the President, who in 
that interview informed him that it was his determination 
to assign him the command of the army in Mexco.^ From 
that moment, he was busily engaged in the necessary 
arrangements to carry into effect the views and instruc- 
tions of the President. He was employed fourteen hours 
a day in all those various duties which pertain to the 
movements, supplies, equipage, direction, and objects of 
the army. No one can imagine the magnitude of these 
labors, their responsibility or importance, who does not 
reflect, that the geography, climate, military armament, 
means of supply, in fine, the whole detail of the physical 
and social condition of Mexico, were almost utterly un- 
known in the United States, and that information on these 
topics had to be obtained by inquiry and study, before 
even a general of the army could make prudent military 
arrangements. The Rio Grande was assumed by the 
government, as the base line of military operations from 
the beginning. Yet this river was itself not less than 
seven hundred miles from the Mississippi river, separated 
by lands so unproductive, and so sparsely populated, as to 
be incapable of supporting either man or beast on the 
extended scale required by the operations of war. The 



' Marcy's Letter to the President, published in the Public Documents 
of 1S4G. 



WAR RECOGNISED BY CONGRESS. 47' 

Mississippi then became the true and real base of supply 
and movement, and New Orleans the great depot for pro- 
visions and armament. From this point, General Scott 
had to calculate the march and support of an army whose 
field embraced Texas and California, the Rocky Moun- 
tains and the Sierra Madre ; the cold regions of eternal 
snow, and those sunburnt climes where snow was never 
known ! To prepare the clothing and guard the health 
of troops who were to visit regions on the one side swept 
over by the frosty air of health, and on the other filled 
wij,h the pestilence which walketh in darkness ! To make 
these plans and arrangements required skill, sagacity, 
labor, and experience. The duties, services, and know- 
ledge acquired in his previous life, amply qualified General 
Scott for this duty ; and that he performed it well, is now uni- 
versally acknowledged by the people and the government. 

Congress had declared that "war existed" on the 13th 
of May. The armies were then in conflict on the Rio 
Grande, and it was known that the American force was 
much inferior in number, while their base of supply was 
seven hundred miles distant. Not a moment was to be 
lost. The plan of the campaign must be instantly formed ; 
the volunteers must be hurried into the field ; and what 
was another and yet greater difficulty, an army larger 
than the American Republic had yet raised at one time, 
must be supplied in the course of a few weeks, with the 
armament, equipment, provisions, and means of transporta- 
tion necessary to maintain that army actively in the field. 
This was the task which now devolved on the executive 
officers of the government, and especially upon those of 
the military department. 

The plan of the campaign in Mexico for the year 1846, 



48 PLAN OF THE CAMPAIGN. 

seems to have been arranged jointly, by consultations be- 
tween the President, Secretary at War, and General Scott. 
What share either had in any particular plan, we have 
now no means of knowing. The fact of such consulta- 
tions is disclosed in the correspondence of the War De- 
partment.' 

Two days only after the declaration of Congress, the 
plan of the campaign had been completed — the requisi- 
tions on the governors of states determined upon — and 
General Scott issued to the chief of the General Staff at 
Washington, his memoranda relative to transportation. 
On his order, the immediate movements of the army 
depended. The following extracts are taken from the 
" Memoranda."- 

" An army of some twenty odd thousand men, reg- 
ulars and volunteers, including the troops already in 
Texas, is about to be directed against Mexico, in several 
columns. 

"For the numbers of troops, yet to be sent into 
Texas, the rendezvous or points of departure, and the 
routes of march thither, each chief of the General Staff 
will obtain the information needful to his particular depart- 
ment, from the Secretary of War, calls upon the governors 
of the several states, and from the Adjutant-General. 

" Arms, accoutrements, ammunition, and camp equip- 
age, must be thrown in advance upon the several rendez- 
vous or points of departure, unless depots or arsenals 



' Appendix to the Congressional Globe, 1845-6, pages 649-51, Message 
of the President, Letters of Scott and Marcy. 



2 



Public Documents, 29th Congress, 2d Session, number 119. 



INSTRUCTION TO CHIEFS OF THE STAFF. 49 

should be in the routes which may be given to volun- 
teers. 

" Subsistence will also be thrown in advance upon the 
several rendezvous given, and as far as practicable, on 
the several routes thence to be given to both regulars 
and volunteers. Hard bread and bacon, (side-pieces or 
middlings,) are suggested and recommended for marches, 
both on account of health and comparative lightness of 
transportation. On many of the routes, it is supposed 
that beef cattle may be obtained in tolerable abundance. 

" With the means of transportation by water and land, 
according to the several routes to be given to the troops, 
and on land, whether wagons or pack-mules, or both 
wheels and packs, the Quartermaster-General will charge 
himself at once, and as fast as the necessary data can 
be settled or known. 

"For marches by land, a projet for the means of 
transportation, by company, battalion, or regiment, ac- 
cording to route, is requested, as a general plan. The 
means of transportation on and beyond the Rio Grande — 
using for the latter purpose those which may accompany 
the troops — will require a particular study ; but boats for 
transporting supplies on that river, should be early pro- 
vided — assuming the depth of water to a certain height 
(up the river) at three or three and a half feet, and to 
another distance, higher up, at two and a half feet." 

This " Memoranda" immediately set the Staff officers 
and the subordinates in motion, and notwithstanding the 
government had provided nothing previously for the ex- 
traordinary emergencies of war, — yet so well skilled 
and judicious were the officers of the Staff of the army, 
that it may be regarded as one of the remarkable fea- 
E 4 



50 scott's views of the campaign. 

tures of the war — that twenty thousand men could be 
put in motion, fed, equipped, and marched with so much 
rapidity and effect over thousands of miles, for the most 
part of barren territory.' These " Memoranda" of Scott 
were dated the 15th of May, and on the 1st of August, 
all the foot regiments of the volunteer army had been 
mustered into service, marched several thousand miles, 
and assembled on the Rio Grande."' 

The views of General Scott at this time, as to the num- 
ber of the army, and the service it was required to perform, 
in order to conquer a peace, were fully expressed in his 
letter to Secretary Marcy, dated the 21st of May.^ In 
that document he says, and it was admitted by the Presi- 
dent, that a "special army of some thirty thousand regulars 
and twelve months' volunteers," would be necessary to 
march against Mexico ;^ and that such an army (espe- 
cially the horse regiments) could not be assembled and 
ready for service much before the 1st of September; 
that in the mean time, (from June to September,) the 
rainy season occurred, and would unfit the horses in 
that country for active service ; and that finally, to pro- 



' The extensive correspondence of the Quartermaster-General's depart- 
ment proves, that much was due to the energies of General Jessup, 
Colonels Hunt and Cross, Majors Whiting and Tompkins, and other officers 
of the service. 

"^ Public Document 119, 2d Session of 29th Congress; Taylor's Letter 
of the 30th July, 1846. 

^ Appendix to Congressional Globe, 1845-6, page 650. 

* It will be observed here, that the thirty thousand effective rncn re- 
quired by Scott, were never in service at one time during the campaign 
of 1846. The regulars were less than 7000, and the twenty-four regi- 
ments of volunteers made but 18,000— in all 25,000. 



scott's views of the campaign. 51 

duce a peace by the operations of war, — regular, in- 
cessant, forward movements were necessary. Subse- 
quent events proved, that each and all these positions 
were strictly correct. The army was not ready for a 
march against Mexico till the first of September ; and 
because it was not kept up to the full amount of effective 
men required, (for it was rapidly diminished by sick- 
ness,) it could not make incessant, forward movements, 
and thus it failed of obtaining those ends, of which its 
energy and victories were fully worthy. In no part of 
the war with Mexico, was more sagacity, correct infor- 
mation, and sound judgment exhibited, than in the cor- 
respondence of General Scott with the War Department, 
and the chiefs of the army, in May and June, 1846. 

In the mean time, an unpleasant controversy, or rather 
misunderstanding occurred between General Scott, Sec- 
retary Marcy, and President Polk. The effect of this 
misunderstanding, was to deprive the army for a time, 
of the experience and services of General Scott in the 
field, and throw a most undeserved ridicule on his name, 
— as disgraceful to those who, for political purposes, 
were engaged in its dissemination, as it was entirely 
foreign to any part of the public business, or any con- 
duct of its distinguished subject. 

On the 20th of May, Mr. Dix, a senator from the ; 
state of New York, and an active friend of the Presi- "> 
dent, had advocated a bill before the Senate, which pro- 
posed to authorize the appointment of two additional 
major-generals, giving the President power also to assign 
them their command and relative rank. The effect of 
this measure, if adopted, would give the President the 
power of appointing, by law, some new or junior, or 



52 scott's letters. 

merely political general, over the head of Scott. That 
this proposition, coming from the political friends of the 
President, should excite the sensibilities of Scott, with 
the idea that he was to be supplanted in the command 
of the army, was most natural. That such an idea was 
not unjust to the President or his friends in Congress, 
was sufficiently shown by subsequent events, when the 
attempt was openly made and nearly succeeded,^ to ap- 
point a lieutenant-general to the command of the Ameri- 
can army. 

About the same time — although but one week after 
Congress had declared that "war existed," — Scott was in- 
formed by the Secretary of War, that much unpatience 
was already felt, that he had not placed himself on the 
route to the Rio Grande.^ It was under these circum- 
stances, which candor will admit, were well calculated 
to irritate a sensitive mind — that Scott, in one of his com- 
munications to the Secretary of War, wrote the following 
passage : 

" Not an advantageous step can be taken in a forward 
march, without the confidence that all is well behind. If 
insecure in that quarter, no general can put his whole 
heart and mind into the work to be done in front. I am 
therefore not a little alarmed, nay, crippled in my ener- 
gies, by the knowledge of the impatience in question, and 
I beg to say I fear no other danger. 

" My intentions have been, after making all preliminary 
arrangements here, to pass down the Ohio and the Mis- 
sissippi, to see, or to assure myself by correspondence, 



1 



3 



Proceedings of the 2d Session of the 29th Congress. 
Scott's Letter to Marcy, May 21ft, 1846. 



SCOTT'S LETTERS. 53 

that the volunteers, on whom we are mostly to rely in the 
prosecution of the existing war, are rapidly assembling 
for the service ; to learn the probable time of their readi- 
ness to advance upon Mexico ; to ascertain if their sup- 
plies of every kind are in place, or are likely to be in 
place in sufficient time ; to hasten one and the other ; to 
harmonize the movements of volunteers, and to modify 
their routes, (if necessary,) so that all, or at least a suffi- 
cient number, shall arrive at the indicated points on the 
Mexican frontier at the best periods, and as far as practi- 
cable about the same time. All that I have but sketched, 
I deem to be not only useful to success, but indispensa- 
ble. As a soldier I make this assertion, without the fear 
of contradiction from any honest and candid soldier. 

" Against the ad capiandum condemnation of all other 
persons, whoever may be designated for the high com- 
mand in question, there can be no reliance, in his absence, 
other than the active, candid, and steady support of his 
government. If I cannot have that sure basis to rest 
upon, it will be infinitely better for the country, (not to 
speak of my personal security,) that some other command- 
er of the new army against Mexico should be selected. 
No matter who he may be, he shall at least be judged and 
supported by me, in this office and everywhere else, as I 
would desire, if personally in that command, to be judged 
myself and supported. 

" My explicit meaning is, that I do not desire to place 
myself in the most perilous of all positions — a fire upon 
my rear from Washington, and a fire in front from the 
Mexicans.''"'^ 

' Scott's Letter, 2lst of May, 1846. — Appendix to the Congressioiia] 
Globe, p. 6.50. 
e2 



54 scott's letters. 

In a reply to this communication, Mr. Marcy, Secretary 
of War, in a letter of the 25th of May,^ assumed that this 
passage referred to the President only, said that the coun- 
try would feel impatient if the volunteers were to remain 
inactive on the Rio Grande till the 1st of September, and 
finally concluded by informing Scott that his services 
would be confined to the city of Washington, and to the 
preparations for the vigorous prosecution of hostilities 
against Mexico.^ 

The letter of Marcy, dated May 25th, General Scott 
did not receive till the close of the day, and it was imme- 
diately replied to. In his answer, Scott denied that he 
intended. to charge either the President or Secretary with 
any unworthy motives or indirect designs. He acknow- 
ledged the courtesy and kindness of both, but explained 
that he meant other persons in high quarters, who might 
be willing enough either to misrepresent him to the Pres- 
ident, or impair his public influence. He also asked to 
be ordered to the army on " the following, or any other 
day the President might designate." 

In the commencement of his reply to Mr. Marcy, Scott 
had used an expression which is now memorable as an 
example of the ease with which the public mind may be 
abused, of the malignity with which partisans pursue 



* Appendix to the Congressional Globe, 651. 

* The sufficient answer to this impatience, and the crude ideas of war 
formed by Mr. Secretary Marcy, is contained in the fact — that the ad- 
vance of the army, under General Worth, did not leave the valley of the 
Rio Grande till the 20th of August, and General Taylor could not leave 
Camargo till the 5th of SepLember. From May till September nothing 
was done, as Scott had anticipated, but prepare for the coming cam- 
paign. 



FINAL RESULT. 55 

their objects, and of the final triumph of true greatness 
over all the malice and the intrigues of jealous or hostile 
politicians. 

The expression was caught up, and repeated, and re- 
turned, in squibs and witticisms, by hostile newspapers 
and by doubtful friends, till, for a time, the fame of the 
Hero of Niagara, alike dear to his country and to martial 
renown, seemed obscured in the mists of folly and of 
prejudice. Even the justice of the country seemed about 
to depart, and leave to a ribald ridicule the pen of history 
and the decrees of government. 

But such an ingratitude and so gross a malice could 
not endure. The same administration, which had thus 
coolly confined Scott to Washington, was compelled, in 
its necessities, to demand his services. He hurried to 
the Gulf of Mexico, and, in the splendid siege of Vera 
Cruz — the storm of Cerro Gordo — and the well-ordered 
and successful march to the city of the Montezumas — 
brushed away and obliterated forever the memory of the 
recent past, and silenced the voice of ridicule in the shouts 
of applause. The once celebrated phrase now remains 
only as a monument to the folly of those who used it to 
pervert the sense and abuse the justice of the people. It 
points a moral, if it does not adorn a tale. 



56 MOVEMENTS OF THE ARMY. 



CHAPTER IV. 

Campaign on the Rio Grande continued. — Movement of the Army. — 
March to Monterey. — Battle of Monterey. — Armistice. — March to Sal- 
tillo. — Wool's Corps. — Tampico. — Occupation of Victoria. — Conclusion 
of the Campaign. — General Taylor's Despatches. — Results. 

From the period at which the American army occupied 
Metamoras, after the battle of Resaca de la Palma, both 
the general government at home, and the officers of the 
army on the Rio Grande, were busied with preparations 
for an advance into the interior of Mexico. The Rio 
Grande was assumed as the military base-line of opera- 
tions, although the real base was necessarily the Missis- 
sippi. Quartermasters and Commissariat Departments 
became at once very active :^ wagons, horses, provisions, 
and supplies of all sorts were to be found and purchased 
chiefly in the valley of the Ohio ; while military equip- 
ments were to be furnished from the Atlantic arsenals. 
More than three months were consumed in these prepa- 
rations. In the mean time, the Mexican villages of 
Reinosa, Comargo, Mier, and Revilla surrendered, and 
were occupied. Comargo, a town about one liundred and 
eighty miles above the mouth of the Rio Grande, was the 
point selected as the depot of supplies. Here the various 

^ It is due to General Jessup — Quartermaster-general — to say, that the 
official correspondence proves that he was most assiduous, iittlustrious, and 
successful in the performance of the very responsible duties of his office. 



TAYLOR S FORCE. 



57 



divisions which were to compose the particular army of 
General Taylor were graduejiy concentrated. The entire 
army of General Taylor consisted of about nine thousand 
men. A small portion was assigned to garrisons, while the 
main body, numbering six thousand six hundred, were des- 
tined for the march to Monterey.^ On the 20th of August 
General Worth began his march for Monterey, the capital 
of New Leon ; and on the 5th of September, the general- 
in-chief left Comargo, leaving that town garrisoned by 
about two thousand men. Worth reached Ceralvo — about 



* The army was divided into three divisions, whose component parts 
were as follows, — as determined by General Taylor's order of September 
3d, 1846, and variations subsequently made. 

1st Division — Brigadier-general Twiggs. 
2d Dragoons, (Captain May,) 4 companies . . . 250 men. 



Ridgeley's and Webster's Batteries 

1st, 3d, and 4th Regiments of Infantry, and Bragg's 

Baltimore Battalion ..... 



110 

Battery 1,320 
400 



Total 

2d Division — Brigadier-general Worth. 
Duncan's and Taylor's Batteries 
5lh, 7th, and 8th Regiments of Infantry 
Blanchard's Louisiana Volunteers 
Texas Rangers — 2 companies 



Total 
3d Division, (Volunteers,) Major-general 
Ist Ohio Rngiment, (Col. Mitchell) 
1st Kentucky, (Col. Ormsby) . 
1st Tennessee, (Col. Campbell) 
Mississippi Regiment, (Col. Davis) 
Texas Regiment, (Col. Hays) 



Total 



Butler. 



2,080 




100 


men. 


1,500 


(( 


80 


(( 


100 


K 


1,780 




540 1 


men. 


540 


(( 


540 


(( 


690 


« 


500 


(« 



2,810 



Total of the army (in all) 6,670 effectives. 



58 TAYLOR ADVANCES TO MONTEREY. 

seventy miles — on the 25th of August, and at that point 
sent out reconnoitring parties, who discovered strong 
bodies of the enemy in front. Being reinforced, he ad- 
vanced to the village of Morin, where the entire army 
was in a few days concentrated under the command of 
General Taylor. 

The city of Monterey is situated in the valley of the 
San Juan ; and in the rear, and around it, rise the moun- 
tain-ridges of the Sierra Madre. In the rear of the city, 
and under the ridges of hills, runs the river San Juan. 
On the east, or on the left of the road approaching from 
Morin, the river makes a turn, so as nearly to cover that 
flank. The road to Sadairela thence crosses the river. 
On the opposite side — the right, as the army approached 
— lay the road to Saltillo, up the valley of San Juan. In 
front, the road from Ceralvo and Morin entered the town. 
On the heights, in rear of the town and beyond the river, 
works were erected which commanded the valley and the 
approaches from the north. Above the Saltillo road was 
a height upon which was the Bishop's Palace, and near it 
other heights, all fortified. In front of the city was the 
Cathedral Fort, or citadel, which was regularly fortified, 
and about two thousand yards in front and below the 
Bishop's Palace. The opposite side of the city, to the 
left, as the Americans approaciied, were forts also erected, 
and there were trenches in the streets of the city. 

Both the natural and the artificial defences of Monterey 
seem to have been very strong. Notwithstanding this, 
neither the nature of the defences nor the garrison withm 
them seem to have been known to the American army 
previous to its arrival in front of the city. 

On the 25th of August, General Taylor writes lo the 



REACHES WALNUT SPRINGS. 59 

War Department^ that he had intelhgence from Monterey, 
by a confidential messenger, who said that there were 
" at Monterey not more than 2000 or 2500 regular troops, 
the remnant of those who fled from Metamoras, and a 
considerable number of the militia of the country gathered 
together, many of them forcibly. Some attempts had 
been made to fortify the city by the erection of batteries 
which command the approaches. He heard of no rein- 
forcements in rear." On the 17th of September, from the 
camp near Morin, General Taylor writes to the War De- 
partment — " It is even doubtful whether Ampudia will 
attempt to hold Monterey. A few days will now deter- 
mine. His regular force is small — say 3000 — eked out 
perhaps to 6000 by volunteers, many of them forced."^ 

These statements show that the military information 
of the army, as derived from scouts, spies, out-parties, 
and correspondents, was very scant. The army, however, 
pressed forward, and on the 19th of September arrived at 
Walnut Springs, three miles from Monterey, having met 
with no more serious resistance than that of skirmishing 
parties of Mexican cavalry. 

Monterey was then under the command of General 
Pedro Ampudia, and the garrison under his command 
consisted of about seven thousand regular troops, and two 
or three thousand irregulars. Notwithstanding this strong 
garrison, superior in numbers to the American army, 
General Taylor thought it possible to carry the place by 
storm, with the bayonet and the artillery. On the even- 
ing of the 19th a reconnaissance of the works in the direc- 



* Document 119 of the 29th Congress, 2d Session, page 130. 
' Document 119, page 139, 29th Congress, 2d Session. 



60 BATTLE OF MONTEREY. 

lion of the Sallillo road was ordered, and this important 
enterprise was ably executed by Major Mansfield of the 
engineer corps. A reconnaissance was also made on the 
east side of the town. 

In the afternoon of the 20th of September, General 
Worth, with his division, was ordered to make a detour 
to the right — turn the hill of the Bishop's Palace — take a 
position on the Saltillo road — and, if practicable, carry 
the enemy's works in that quarter. This movement was 
executed during the evening, and the troops remained 
upon their arms, just beyond the range of the enemy's 
shot. During the night two twenty-four pounders and a 
ten-inch mortar were placed in battery against the citadel. 
In rear of this battery was General Butler's Division. 

On the morning of the 21 si the main battle came on. 
Twiggs' and Butler's Divisions, supported by the Light 
Artillery, were both ordered forward ; May's Dragoons, 
and Wood's Texan Cavalry, were detached to the right, to 
the support of General Worth. A column of six hundred 
and fifty men, with Bragg's Artillery, was ordered to the 
left, to attack the lower part of the town. The point of 
attack was designated by Major Mansfield, who accompa- 
nied the parly in its advance. The front defence here 
was a redoubt, into the rear of which, in spite of its fire, 
the column rapidly moved, and commenced its assault on 
the towni Here it was opposed by intrenched streets 
and barricaded houses. On one of these the company of 
Captain Backus succeeded in getting, and fired upon the 
redoubt. Garland's force, however, were compelled to 
retire. It was then that General Taylor ordered up the 
4th Infantry, and the Volunteer regiments from Ohio, 
Tennessee, and Mississippi, commanded by Colonels 



BATTLE OF MONTEREY. 61 

Mitchell, Campbell, and Davis. The two last regiments, 
with three companies of the 4th regiment, advanced 
against the redoubt. The last companies being in 
front were received with a deadly fire, which killed or 
disabled one-third of the men, and they were compelled 
to retire. The brigade of General Quitman (Tennessee 
and Mississippi) pushed on, and with the aid of Captain 
Backus's company (on the roof of a house) captured the 
fort, with its cannon and ammunition. 

In the mean while the Ohio regiment, with General 
Butler and Colonel Mitchell, entered the town to the right, 
and advanced against the second battery, but the fire was 
so severe that the regiment was withdrawn ; General 
Butler, who had advanced with it, being wounded. The 
guns of the first battery were turned upon the second, 
and Colonel Garland was again ordered forward with an- 
other column. They were compelled to pass several 
streets trenched and barricaded, and after another severe 
contest retired in good order. Up to this time, it is ob- 
vious, no important success had been obtained against the 
lower town. Repeated assaults had been made, and one 
battery carried ; but it is evident the enemy had preserved 
the main part of his defences untouched. The Mexican 
cavalry had also made several charges, but always unsuc- 
cessfully. On the same day (the 21st) Worth's Division 
had advanced to the right, defeated the enemy, and car- 
ried several fortified heights. At night General Taylor 
ordered a large part of Twiggs' and Butler's ])ivisions 
back to Walnut Springs — a portion remaining to guard 
the battery in the ravine. 

At dawn of the 22d, Worth and his Division, which had 
bivouacked on the Saltillo road, recommenced the ad- 



02 SURRENDER OF THE CITY". 

vance. The height above the Bishop's Palace was 
stormed and taken ; when the Palace and the guns of 
both were turned upon the enemy below. 

The guns of the Citadel continued, during this day, to 
fire upon the American positions ; but General Taylor 
made no important movement in front. The turning of 
the enemy's position by Worth, and the capture of the 
Bishop's Palace, gave a new face to affairs. This was 
the key to Monterey, and General Ampudia concentrated 
his troops in the heart of the city. General Taylor, on 
the morning of the 23d, found nearly all the works in the 
lower part of the city abandoned. He immediately or- 
dered General Quitman to enter the place ; but here a 
new resistance was made. The houses were fortified, 
and our troops actually dug through from house to house ! 
On the upper side of the city. Worth's Division had also 
gained a lodgment. The firing continued during the 23d 
— the Americans having possession of the greater part of 
the city, and the Mexicans confined, in their defence, 
chiefly to the Citadel and Plaza. That evening (at 9 
p. M.) General Ampudia sent in propositions to General 
Taylor which, after some negotiation, resulted in the sur- 
render and evacuation of Monterey. The main part of 
the capitulation was, that the Mexican troops should re- 
tire beyond a line formed by the Pass of Rinconado, the 
city of Linares, and San Fernando de Prezas ; and that 
the forces of the United States would not advance beyond 
that line before the expiration of eight weeks, or until the 
orders or instructions of the respective governments should 
be received. 

As this armistice has been tlie subject of much com- 
ment, we have thought best to insert it in full. 



ARTICLES OF CAPITULATION. 63 

The following are the articles of capitulation : 

Article I. As the legitimate result of the operations before 
this place, and the present position of the contending armies, 
it is agreed that the city, the fortifications, cannon, the muni- 
tions of war, and all other public property, with the under- 
mentioned exceptions, be surrendered to the commanding gen- 
eral of the United States forces now at Monterey. 

Art. II. That the Mexican forces be allowed to retain the 
following arms, to wit : the commissioned officers their side- 
arms, the infantry their arms and accoutrements, the cavalry 
their arms and accoutrements, the artillery one field battery, 
not to exceed six pieces, with twenty-one rounds of ammuni- 
tion. 

Art. III. That the Mexican armed forces retire, within 
seven da5'^s from this date, beyond the line formed by the pass 
of the Rinconada, the city of Linares, and San Fernando de 
Presas. 

Art. IV. That the citadel of Monterey be evacuated by 
the Mexican, and occupied by the American forces, to-mor- 
row morning at ten o'clock. 

Art. V. To avoid collisions, and for mutual convenience, 
that the troops of the United States will not occupy the city 
until the Mexican forces have withdrawn, except for hospital 
and storage purposes. » 

Art. VI. That the forces of the United States will not ad- 
vance beyond the line specified in the 2d [3d] article before 
the expiration of eight weeks, or until the orders or instruc- 
tions of the respective governments can be received. 

Art. VII. That the public property to be delivered shall 
be turned over and received by officers appointed by the 
commanding generals of the two armies. 

Art. VIII. That all doubts as to the meaning of any of 
the preceding articles shall be solved by an equitable con- 
struction, and on principles of liberality to the retiring army. 



64 ARMISTICE DISAPPROVED. 

Art. IX. That the Mexican flag, when struck at the cita- 
del, may be saluted by its own battery. 
Done at Monterey, Sept. 24, 1846. 

W. J. Worth, 
Brigadier-general U. S. A. 

S. PiNKNEY Henderson, 
Major-general commanding the Texan volunteers. 
Jefferson Davis, 

Col. Mississippi riflemen. 

Manuel M. Llano, 

Ortega, 

T. Requena, 

Pedro Ampudia. 

Approved : 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major-general, U. S. A. Commanding. 

The Mexicans marched out with their arms, and the 
terms were unusually favorable to them. For this con- 
cession there were strong reasons. A change of govern- 
ment had just taken place in Mexico, believed to be 
favorable to peace, and to have reduced the citadel of 
Monterey would have cost the lives of many men. Be- 
sides all this, the American army had but a short supply 
of provisions, and were one hundred and eighty miles dis- 
tant from their depot. The American loss in this battle 
was (killed and wounded) four hundred and eighty-eight,^ 
a large portion of whom fell in the attacks of the 21st on 
the lower town. 

The War Department did not choose to continue the 
armistice ; but, on the 13th of October, directed General 

* One hundred and twenty killed, and three hundred and sixty-eight 
wounded. 



Taylor's reasons for the armistice. bo 

Taylor to give notice that the armistice should cease, and 
that each party should be at liberty to resume hostilities. 
In communicating this notice to General Santa Anna, then 
in command of the Mexican army, General Taylor took 
occasion to suggest the idea of an honorable peace. To 
this the Mexican chief replied, — " You should banish 
every idea of peace while a single North American, in. 
arms, treads upon the territory of this repubhc."^ 

The following are General Taylor's reasons for the 
armistice, given in a letter to the Secretary of War : 

" In reply to so much of the communication of the 
Secretary of War, dated October 13th, as relates to the 
reasons which induced the convention resulting in the 
capitulation of Monterey, I have the honor to submit the 
following remarks : 

" The convention presents two distinct points. First, 
the permission granted the Mexican army to retire with 
their arms, &c. Secondly, the temporary cessation of 
hostilities for the term of eight weeks. I shall remark on 
these in order. 

" The force with which I marched on Monterey was 
limited by causes beyond my control to about six thou- 
sand men. With this force, as every military man must 
admit, who has seen the ground, it was entirely impossible 
to*invest Monterey so closely as to prevent the escape of 
the garrison. Although the main communication with the 
interior was in our possession, yet one route was open to 
the Mexicans throughout the operations, and could not be 
closed, as were also other minor tracks and passes through 
the mountains. Had we, therefore, insisted on more 

' Sania Auun't; Ir'Arr !o Genrral Taylor, Nnvrrnbcr, 1816. 

ir2 6 



66 Taylor's reasons for the armistice. 

rigorous terms than those granted, the result would have 
been the escape of the body of the Mexican force, with the 
destruction of its artillery and magazines, our only advantage 
being the capture of a few^ prisoners of v^^ar, at the ex- 
pense of valuable lives and much damage to the city. 
The consideration of humanity was present to my mind 
during the conference which led to the convention, and 
outweighed in my judgment the doubtful advantages to be 
gained by a resumption of the attack upon the town. 
This conclusion has been fully confirmed by an inspec- 
tion of the enemy's position and means since the surrender. 
It was discovered that his principal magazine, containing 
an immense amount of powder, was in the cathedral, 
completely exposed to our shells from two directions. 
The explosion of this mass of powder, which must have 
ultimately resulted from a continuance of the bombard- 
ment, would have been infinitely disastrous, involving the 
destruction not only of Mexican troops, but of non-com- 
batants and even our own people, had we pressed the 
attack. 

" In regard to the temporary cessation of hostilities, the 
fact that we are not at this moment, within eleven days 
of the termination of the period fixed by the convention, 
prepared to move forward in force, is a sufficient explana- 
tion of the military reasons which dictated this suspension 
of arms. It paralyzed the enemy during a period when, 
from the want of necessary means, we could not possibly 
move. I desire distinctly to state, and to call the attention 
of the authorities to the fact, that, with all diligence in 
breaking mules and setting up wagons, the first wagons in 
addition to our original train from Corpus Christi, (and 
but one hundred and twenty-five in number,) reached my 



Taylor's reasons for the armistice. 67 

headquarters on the same day with the secretary's com- 
munication of October 13th, viz. the 2d inst. At the 
date of the surrender of Monterey, our force had not 
more than ten days' rations, and even now, with all 
our endeavors, we have not more than twenty-five. The 

TASK OF FIGHTING AND BEATING THE ENEMY IS AMONG 
THE LEAST DIFFICULT THAT WE ENCOUNTER the great 

question of supplies necessarily controls all the operations 
in a country like this. At the date of the convention, I 
could not of course have foreseen that the Department 
would direct an important detachment from my command 
without consulting me, or without waiting the result of 
the main operation under my orders. 

" I have touched the prominent military points involved 
in the convention of Monterey. There were other con- 
siderations which weighed with the commissioners in 
framing and with myself in approving the articles of the 
convention. In the conference with General Ampudia, I 
was distinctly told by him that he had invited it to spare 
the further effusion of blood, and because General Santa 
Anna had declared himself favorable to peace. I knew 
that our government had made propositions to that of 
Mexico to negotiate, and I deemed that the change of 
government in that country since my last instructions, 
fully warranted me in entertaining considerations of policy. 
My grand motive in moving forward with very limited 
supplies had been to increase the inducements of the 
Mexican government to negotiate for peace. Whatever 
may be the actual views or disposition of the Mexican 
rulers or of General Santa Anna, it is not unknown to the 
government that I had the very best reason for believing 
the statement of General Ampudia to be true. Tt was my 



68 Taylor's official despatches. 

opinion at the time of the convention, and it has not been 
changed, that the liberal treatment of the Mexican army 
and the suspension of arms, would exert none but a favor- 
able influence in our behalf. 

" The result of the entire operation has been to throw 
the Mexican army back more than three hundred miles to 
the city of San Luis Potosi, and to open the country to us 
as far as we choose to penetrate it up to the same point. 

" It has been my purpose in this communication, not so 
much to defend the convention from the censure which I 
deeply regret to find implied in the secretary's letter, as to 
show that it was not adopted without cogent reasons, 
most of which occur of themselves to the minds of all 
who are acquainted with the condition of things here. 
To that end I beg that it may be laid before the General- 
in-chief and Secretary of War." 

We subjoin the official report of General Taylor : 

Headquarters, Army of Occupation, } 

Camp before Monterey, Sept. 22, 1846. ^ 

Sir : — I have the honor to report that the troops under my 
command, including the mounted volunteers from Texas, 
marched from Marin on the 18th, and encamped before Mon- 
terey on the 19th inst. It was immediately discovered that 
the enemy occupied the town in force, and had added greatly 
to its strength by fortifying the approaches and commanding 
heights. A close reconnoissance was made the same evening 
by the officers of engineers and topographical engineers on 
both flanks of the town, and it was determined, from the in- 
formation procured, to occupy the Saltillo road in the rear of 
the town, carrying, if practicable, the several fortified emi- 
nances in that direction. The 2d division of regular troops 
and a portion of Col. Hays' regiment of mounted volunteers 



Taylor's official despatches. 60 

was accordingly detached under Brig. General Worth on this 
service, at noon on the 20th. A 10-inch mortar and tvv.j 
24-pounder howitzers were placed in battery during the 
night, to play upon the citadel and town. At 7 o'clock these 
guns opened and continued a deliberate fire, which was re- 
turned. To create a still farther diversion in favor of Gen. 
Worth's movement, the remainder of the -force, except a camp 
guard, was displayed around the centre and left of the town. 
The infantry and one battery of the 1st division made a strong 
demonstration on the left, and soon became so closely engaged 
that I moved forward the volunteer division under Major- 
general Butler to its support, leaving one battalion (1st Ken- 
tucky) to cover the mortar battery. A close contest then 
ensued, which resulted in the capture of one strong battery 
of four guns, which with some adjacent defences our troops 
now occupy- A garrison was left to hold this position, and 
the remainder of the force returned to camp. 

In the mean time General Worth had engaged the enemy 
early in the morning, and defeated him with considerable 
loss. In the course of the day two of the batteries in rear of 
the town were carried by storming parties of the 2d division, 
and a third was carried this morning at dawn of day. — The 
Bishop's Palace occupied the only remaining height in rear of 
the town, and is completely commanded by the works already 
carried. Gen. Worth's division occupies the Saltillo road, 
and cuts off all succor or support from the interior. I must 
reserve a more minute report of the important operations of 
yesterday, until those of the different commanders are render- 
ed, and also until a topographical sketch of the country can 
be prepared. 

I regret to report that our successes have not been obtain- 
ed without severe loss, to be attributed in a good measure to 
the ardor of the troops in pressing forward. No returns of 
killed and wounded have yet been received, nor is it known 



70 Taylor's official despatches. 

what corps of Gen. Worth's division have suffered most. In 
the other portion of the army, the 1st, 3d, and 4th regiments 
of infantry, and regiment of Tennessee volunteers, have sus- 
tained the greatest loss. The following is believed to be an 
accurate list of the officers killed and wounded : 

Killed. — 2d infantry — Brevet 1st Lieutenant J. S. Woods, 
(serving with 1st infantry.) 3d infantry — Capt. L. N. Morris ; 
Capt. G. P. Field ; Brevet Major P. F. Barbour ; 1st Lieut, 
and Adjutant D. S. Irwin ; 2d Lieut. R. Hazlitt. 4th infantry 
— 1st Lieut, and Adjutant C. Hoskins. 8th infantry — Cap- 
tain McKavett. Maryland and Washington battalion volun- 
teers — Lieut. Col. W. H. Watson. 

Volunteer Division. — Ohio regiment — 1st Lieut. M. Hett. 
Tennessee regiment — Captain W. B. Allen ; S. M. Putnam. 

Wounded. — Corps of Engineers — Brevet Major J. K. T. 
Mansfield, slightly. Corps of Topographical Engineers — 
Capt. W. G. Williams, (in hands of the enemy.) 1st infan- 
try — Brevet Major J. L. Abercrombie, slightly ; Capt. J. H. 
Lamotte, severely; 1st Lieut. J. C. Terrett, (in hands of the 
enemy ;) 2d Lieut. R. Dilworth, severely. 3d infantry — 
Major W. W. Lear, severely ; Capt. H. Bainbridge, slightly. 
5th infantry — 1st Lieut. R. H. Graham, severely. 5th 
infantry — 1st Lieut. N. B. Rossell, slightly. 7th infantry — 
2d Lieut. J. H. Potter, severely. 8th infantry — 2d Lieut. 
George Wainwright, severely. 

Volunteer Division. — General Staff — Major-general W. 
O. Butler, slightly. Ohio regiment — Colonel A. M. Mitchell, 
slightly ; Captain James George, slightly ; 1st Lieut, and 
Adjutant A. W. Armstrong, very severely ; 1st Lieut. N. 
Niles, severely ; 1st Lieut. L. Motter, slightly. Mississippi 
regiment — Lieut. Col. A. M. McClung, severely; Captain 
R. N. Downing, slightly ; 1st Lieut. H. F. Cook, slightly ; 
2d Lieutenant R. K. Arthur, do. 



TAYLOR S OFFICIAL DESPATCHES. 71 

Division of Texas Mounted Volunteers. — 1st regiment 
— Capt. R. A. Gillespie, mortally. 

I need hardly add, that the conduct of our troops, both 
regulars and volunteers, throughout the operations, has been 
every thing that could be desired. The part which each 
corps contributed to the successes of the day will appear more 
fully in future reports. To Major-generals Butler and Hen- 
derson, and Brigadier-generals Twiggs and Worth, command- 
ing divisions, I must express my obligations for the efficient 
support which they have rendered — particularly so to Brig- 
adier-general M^orth, whose services, from his detached posi- 
tion, have been most conspicuous. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 
Major-general, U. S. A. Commanding. 

Headquarters, Akmy of Occupation, ) 

Camp before Monterey, Sept. 23, 1846. \ 

Sir : — I have the gratification to report that the Bishop's 
Palace was gallantly carried yesterday by the troops of the 2d 
division. In the course of the night the batteries below the town 
were, with one exception, abandoned by the enemy, and this 
morning were occupied by our troops. To-day the 3d infan- 
try with the field artillery of the 1st division, the Mississippi 
and Tennessee regiments, and the 2d regiment of Texas rifle- 
men, (dismounted), have been warmly engaged with the 
enemy in the town, and have driven him with considerable 
ioss to the plaza and its vicinity, which is yet strongly occu- 
pied. A portion of the 2d division has also advanced into the 
town on the right, and holds a position there. The enemy 
still maintains himself in the plaza and citadel, and seems 
determined to make a stubborn resistance. 

I am particularly gratified to report that our successes of 
yesterday and to-day, though disastrous to the enemy, have 
been achieved without material loss. 



72 Taylor's official despatches. 

I cannot speak in too high terms of the gallantry and per- 
severance of our troops throughout the arduous operations of 
the last three days. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 
Major-general, U. S. A. Commanding. 

HEADaUARTERS, ArMY OF OCCUPATION, ) 

Camp before Monterey, Sept. 25, 1S46. ^ 
Sir : — At noon on the 23d inst., while our troops were 
closely engaged in the lower part of the city, as reported in 
my last despatch, I received by a flag a communication from 
the governor of the state of New Leon, which is herewith 
enclosed, (No 1.) To this communication, I deemed it my 
duty to return an answer declining to allow the inhabitants to 
leave the city. By eleven o'clock, p. m. the 2d division, 
which had entered the town from the direction of the Bishop's 
Palace, had advanced within one square of the principal 
plaza, and occupied the city up to that point. The mortar 
had, in the mean time, been placed in battery in the cemetery, 
within good range of the heart of the town, and was served 
throughout the night with good effect. 

Early in the morning of the 24th I received a flag from 
the town, bearing a coinmunication from Gen. Ampudia, 
which I enclose, (No. 2,) and to which I returned the answer, 
(No. 3.) I also arranged with the bearer of the flag a cessa- 
tion of fire until 12 o'clock, which hour I appointed to receive 
the final answer of Gen. Ampudia at Gen. Worth's head- 
quarters. Before the appointed time, however, Gen. Ampudia 
had signified to Gen. Worth his desire for a personal inter- 
view with me, for the purpose of making some definite 
arrangement. An interview was accordingly appointed for 
one o'clock, and resulted in the naming of a commission to 
draw up articles of agreement regulating the withdrawal of 
the Mexican forces and a temporary cessation of hostilities. 



Taylor's official despatches. 73 

The commissioners named by the Mexican general-in-chief 
were Generals Ortega and Requena, and Don Manuel M. 
Llano, Governor of New Leon. Those named on the Ameri- 
can side were Gen. Worth, Gen. Henderson, governor of 
Texas, and Colonel Davis, of the Mississippi volunteers. The 
commission finally settled upon the articles, of which I enclose 
a copy, (No 4,) the duplicates of which (in Spanish and 
English) have been duly signed. Agreeably to the provis- 
ions of the 4th article, our troops have this morning occupied 
the citadel. 

It will be seen that the terms granted the Mexican garrison 
are less rigorous than those first imposed. The gallant de- 
fence of the town, and the fact of a recent change of govern- 
ment in Mexico, believed to be favorable to the interests of 
peace, induced me to concur with the commission in these 
terms, which will, I trust, receive the approval of the govern- 
ment. The latter consideration also prompted the convention 
for a temporary cessation of hostilities. Though scarcely 
warranted by my instructions, yet the change of affairs since 
those instructions were issued seemed to warrant this course. 
I beg to be advised, as early as practicable, whether I have 
met the views of the government in these particulars. 

I regret to report that Capt. Williams, Topographical 
Engineers, and Lieut, Terrett, 1st infantry, have died of the 
wounds received in the engagement of the 21st. — Capt. Gat- 
lin, 7th infantry, was wounded (not badly) on the 23d. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant. 

Z. TAYLOR, 
Major-general, U. S. A. Commanding. 

In the mean time, the army had been transporting its 
supplies, opening its communications, and enjoying the 
fine fruits and climate of Monterey. November had ar- 
rived, and yet General Taylor had not received a single 

G 



74 REFLECTIONS ON THE CAMPAIGN. 

wagon in addition to those with which he had left Corpus 
Christi.^ On the 2d of November a number arrived, and 
on the 8th a general order announced that Saltillo, the 
capital of the State of Coahuila, would be occupied by the 
United States troops. On the 12lh, the division under 
General Worth took up the line of march for that point, 
and in a few days Saltillo was garrisoned by Worth's 
corps. In the mean time, a column under General Wool, 
which had been originally intended to occupy Chihuahua, 
changed its direction, by order of General Taylor, and 
advanced to the town of Parras ; thence it soon after pro- 
ceeded to join General Worth at Saltillo. At this time, 
the government having determined to occupy Victoria, 
the capital of the Province of Tamaulipas, a division of 
volunteers under General Patterson was moved from the 
lower Rio Grande in that direction ; and the brigade of 
General Quitman, with a field battery from General 
Taylor's army, marched on the same place, and occupied 
it (Victoria) on the 29th of December without much op- 
position. Tampico was captured by Commodore Perry, 
and garrisoned by the land forces. 

The campaign of the Rio Grande was now brought 
substantially to a close. It commenced in March, 1846, 
by the march of General Taylor from Corpus Christi 
over the disputed territory, (between the Nueces and the 
Rio Grande ;) and terminated in December with the 
military occupation of the Provinces of New Mexico, 
New Leon, Coahuila, and Tamaulipas, in the Mexican 
republic. In this march of our armies, and in the 
battles they fought, the ofiicers and soldiers of the United 

' General Taylor's letter of November 8th, 1846. 



REFLECTIONS ON THE CAMPAIGN. 75 

States had signalized themselves for courage, energy, and 
good conduct. They shrank from no duty or danger. 
They failed in no enterprise or conflict. They endured, 
without complaint, the perils of a climate in which one- 
fifth of their number sank to the grave ; and they bore 
with equal firmness the fatigues of marches without the 
proper means of transportation. This martial energy — 
this firm endurance — this unconquerable courage — this 
enterprise in war — and this sagacity in the perception and 
use of means, thus exhibited on an extensive scale and in 
a foreign country, developed new features in the American 
character — the vast capacity of the country for war, and 
the restless thirst of adventure which impelled so many 
to volunteer in an invasive war. This development of 
national energy was the only apparent advantage, which 
was, so far, gained by this invasion. The plan of the 
campaign, as determined by the War Department, though 
executed with great military skill by General Taylor, was 
necessarily inconsequential ; for it merely caused the con- 
quest of barren territories, at the distance of seven hundred 
miles from the enemy's capital, and the movement of 
troops from a base-line nearly as far from our country. 
It led to no results, nor to any valuable purpose, except 
that of maintaining garrisons in a barren and useless 
country. 



76 INVASION OF NORTHERN MEXICO. 



CHAPTER V. 

Government Plan to invade Northern Mexico. — Assemblage of Troops at 
Fort Leavenworth. — Kearney's March to Santa Fe. — Nature of the 
Country. — Retreat of the Mexicans. — Arrival at Santa Fe. — Kearney'*^ 
Proclamation. — Kearney departs for California. — Wool's Expedition. — 
Assemblage of the Troops at San Antonia. — The Object of the Expe- 
dition. — March to Monclova ; to Penas. — Wool joins Worth at Saltillo. 
Taylor's March to Victoria. 

While General Taylor was crossing the Rio Grande, 
and directing his columns towards Central Mexico, the 
cabinet at Washington sent two other columns against the 
northern provinces, under the command, respectively, of 
Generals Kearney and Wool. The movements of these 
corps, if less important in a military point of view, were 
vastly more extensive in their geographical scope and re- 
lations. It was their fortune to traverse magnificent 
plains, perform rapid and, m modern history, unprece- 
dented marches, and conquer to the dominion of the 
United States lands unmeasured and almost uninhabited. 

The origin of these expeditions seems to have been an 
idea entertained by the administration, that the States of 
New Mexico, — Chihuahua, Durango, and others in the 
upper portion of Mexico, — stood ready to declare them- 
selves independent, and that, by this movement, they 
would be at once detached from the central government. 
It was stated by some letter-writers, who professed ac- 
quaintance with that country, that those States were ready 



TROOPS COLLECTED. 77 

to form a separate and independent republic. One writer 
even went so far as to declare that the Mexicans them- 
selves, in these provinces, would form an army to march 
against the central government ! With such views, the 
war department organized a corps, called the Army of the 
West,* which was intended to conquer New Mexico by 
marching into Santa Fe. This place, though very unim- 
portant as a town, was a point of concentration for the 
extensive trade which flowed through it from Chihuahua 
on the southwest and St. Louis on the northeast. Vast 
as were the plains and uninhabited regions through whicii 
this trade was carried on, it had grown, within a few 
years, to be one of great importance in magnitude and 
value. On the 16th of May, 1846, at the very time Con- 
gress recognised the existence of the wa.r, a company of 
Mexican traders arrived at St. Louis, through Santa Fe, 
from Chihuahua, with no less than three hundred and 
fifty thousand dollars in specie, to expend for wares and 
merchandise in the United States. The annual trade 
from Santa Fe with St. Louis, Pittsburg, and Philadel- 
phia, was supposed to be, in amount, from one to two 
millions of dollars. That trade has been cut off by the 
events of the war. 

The forces which were to compose the Army of the 
West, — almost wholly of Volunteers, — commenced as- 
sembling at Fort Leavenworth early in June, 1846. Col. 
Kearney received his orders in May,^ and the Missouri 
Volunteers were mustered into service before the end of 
June, and on the 30th of June the entire force had de- 
parted. The corps of Kearney was composed thus : — 

' Lieut. Emory's Journal. ' Niles's Register, 70, p. 228. 

g2 



78 AMOUNT OF THE FORCE. 



Colonel Price's Regiment, 


- 800 


men. 


Doniphan's " 


- 800 




Major Clarke's Battalion, 


- 400 




Sumner's Dragoons, 


- 200 




Mormon Battalion, 


- 500 




Total force. 


- 2,700 





A large part of this force were mounted men, accom- 
panied, however, by a regiment of infantry, a body of 
artillery, and a train of wagons. The point of departure 
was Fort Leavenworth, on the Missouri river, and tiie 
point to be reached (Santa Fe) was one thousand miles 
distant. For a greater part of that distance, from the 
Missouri to Bent's Fort on the Arkansas, the road lay 
over vast plains, which had for ages been the pasturage 
of the buffalo, or the hunting-ground of the Indian. Short 
dry grass, or sometimes barren ground, with skirts of trees 
in the valleys of the streams, made nearly the whole land- 
scape ; while occasionally a buffalo in the distance, a 
prairie-wolf in the trail, or the carcass of some unfortu- 
nate horse given to the wild birds or wilder beasts, gave 
variety to this desolate scene. Bent's Fort, the lonely 
plantation of Mr. Bonny, and the meeting of a party of 
traders, were the only signs of civilization. Beyond the 
Arkansas, and on the head-waters of the Cimarou and 
Canadian rivers, the country grows mountainous, and the 
pine, spruce, and other evergreens begin to give verdure 
to the summits. In passing a dividing ridge of these 
streams, the army was charmed with one of those splen- 
did mountain-scenes which frequently occur in extraor- 
dinary sublimity on the spurs of the Cordilleras. It was 
the passage of the Raton, a branch of the great Aztec 



COL. KEARNEY LEAVES BENt's FORT. 7t> 

mountains, which made the eastern ridge of the Rio 
Grande. By barometrical observations, the sunamit was 
7000 feet in height. Towards the northwest, the lofty 
top of Pike's peak was visible, and around it other peaks 
whose white limestone cliffs looked like snow-banks in the 
sunbeams. Above, the rocky tops of the Raton rose in 
perpendicular ledges, and assumed the form of castles in 
the air, while all around nature exhibited a wide landscape 
of wild, various, and beautiful appearances.^ 

Such scenery in this desolate region was, however, 
uncommon. The weary soldier had to pass many a day's 
journey without water for his thirst, or grass for his beast. 
For twenty miles, in some cases, no spring was to be 
found. An eye-witness relates, that in going from the 
valley of the Canadian, a traveller might pass a good day's 
journey without meeting with either wood, water, or grass. 
Such was the unfruitful and uninviting country through 
which it was deemed necessary to march an army of the 
United States for the conquest of Mexico ! 

On the 3d of August Kearney left Bent's Fort on the 
Arkansas, and in ten days approached the Mexican settle- 
ments. Governor Armijo had previously received intima- 
tions of his approach, and, according to the accounts of 
traders, had gathered from the adjacent provinces a for- 
midable force. On the 16th of August he marched out 
of Santa Fe, and took post at a remarkably strong posi- 
tion. It was an eminence commanding a defile of not 
more than forty feet in width, through which lay the road 
to Santa Fe. Such a position, with good troops, might 
be deemed almost impregnable. Such was not the result. 

< > Lt. Emory's Journal. — Niles's Register, 71, p. 138. 



80 SANTE Fi: CAPTURED. 

Governor Armijo held a council of war. His second m 
command, and other officers, advised him against defence. 
The advice was followed. The Mexican army retreated, 
and Armijo left the province for Cliihuahua with a hundred 
dragoons. In the mean while Kearney had arrived at San 
Miguel, and assured the alarmed alcaldes, padres, and other 
influential persons, that he should protect them in their 
persons, property, religion, and liberty. On the 18th of 
August he passed through the same defile the Mexicans 
had just left undefended, and in a few hours entered Santa 
Fe. Marching with his troops to the palace, or govern- 
or's house, Kearney hoisted the standard of the Union, 
and firing a salute of cannon said, " There, my guns pro- 
claim that the flag of the United States floats over the 
capital."^ On the next day (Aug. 19th) the general ad- 
dressed the people, proclaimed that the American army 
came to establish free government, offered the people 
protection, and absolved them from their allegiance to 
their former government ! 

Thus in about fifty days an army (which had been col- 
lected in less than a month) had traversed nearly a thou- 
sand miles of uninhabited wastes, and proclaimed the 
conquest of New Mexico, containing a surface of eighty 
thousand square miles, though inhabited by only eighty 
thousand people. Considered as a march for both infantry 
and artillery, this was a remarkable achievement. The 
result was, however, as unsatisfactory to the performers 
as it was fruitless of military results. Santa Fe offered 
neither the splendor nor pleasures of a rich and voluptuous 
city. It was a poor town, badly built, inhabited by a half- 



' Jounial of an officer. — Niles, 71, p. 83. 



FACE OF THE COUNTRY. 81 

civilized people, in the midst of a barren and uninhabited 
country. One of the travellers in this expedition thus 
w^rites : — " This is the most miserable country I have ever 
seen. The houses the people live in are built of mud, 
one story high, and have no flooring. They sleep on the 
ground, and have neither beds, tables, nor chairs."^ 

This account probably refers to the mass of the people,. 
and not the richer class. The mud spoken of is un- 
burnt brick. When the American officers visited the 
church, they found it without seats, except one long bench. 
for the chief men.^ 

A few villages and well-cultivated fields lay within a 
few miles of Santa Fe, and the banks of the Rio Grande 
below occasionally presented a town. But, for the most 
part, a country without resources, and a people without 
civilization, were the tempting prospect which New Mexico 
offered to her Anglo-Saxon invaders. 

On the 31st of August, two weeks after his arrival at 
Santa Fe, Kearney organized an expedition of nine hun- 
dred men to scour the banks of the Rio Grande below. 
This work was done without a combat, and without any 
other result than the march. 

In the mean while General Kearney, acting, as he de- 
clared, by authority and under the instructions of the ex- 
ecutive administration of the United States, assumed to 
direct the civil affairs of New Mexico, and even to declare 
the assent of the American nation to the incorporation of 
New Mexico with the United States, and to absolve its 
citizens from all allegiance to the Mexican government !^ 

* Niles, 71, p. 80. ' Diary of an officer, pp. 91, 92 ;— of Niles 71. 

' Kearney's Proclamation may be found in the appendix to Young's 
History of Mpxicn. 

6 



62 GEN. Kearney's proclamation. 

These occurrences are so remarkable in American con- 
stitutional history, that they have attracted no small atten- 
tion from the gravest and most intelligent minds. The 
first in this series of novel proceedings in military history 
took place at the tow^n of San Miguel, a few miles from 
Santa Fe, on the 16th of August. Summoning the al- 
calde and the people of the village into his presence, the 
commander of the American army informed them that 
they were absolved from all allegiance to the Mexican 
government, and that the alcalde must swear allegiance 
to the United Stales ! After some demur, that officer 
complied, on condition that his religion was protected. 
The oath was then administered in this form : — " You 
swear that you will bear true allegiance to the govern- 
ment of the United Slates of America, and that you will 
defend her against all her enemies and opposers, in the 
name of the Father, Son, a.nd Holy Ghost. Amen," 

On the 22d of August, in Santa Fe, General Kearney 
issued a proclamation, entitled, "From the Army of the 
West to the Inhabitants of New Mexico."^ This proc- 
lamation was so extraordinary, that some paragraphs may 
be noted for the very novel ideas they brought before the 
minds of the American people. In this he first announces 
his intention to hold the department, with its " original 
boundaries, (on both sides the Del Norte,) as a part of the 
United States, and under the name of the Territory of 
New Mexico." 

He next informs the people that " it is the wish and in- 
tention of the United States to provide for New Mexico 
a free government, with the least possible delay, similar 



Idem. 



ESTABLISHES CIVIL GOVERNMENT. 83 

to those in the United States ; and the people of New 
Mexico will then be called upon to exercise the rights of 
freemen in electing their ow^n representatives to the terri- 
torial legislature." 

The most extraordinary passage of this proclamation is 
the following : — 

" The undersigned hereby absolves all persons residing 
within the boundary of New Mexico from further alle- 
giance to the republic of Mexico, and hereby claims them 
as citizens of the United States. Those who remain quiet 
and peaceable will be considered as good citizens, and 
receive protection ; those who are found in arms, or in- 
stigating others against the United States, will be consid- 
ered as traitors, and treated accordingly." 

Neither the Constitution of the United States nor the 
people by act of Congress, or by vote, had provided any 
means or expressed any wish for the annexation of New 
Mexico. The laws of nations were equally silent as to 
any mode by which the allegiance of a citizen can be ab- 
solved by any act of a military commander. Nor had the 
laws of the United States provided any way by which a 
foreign citizen could become a citizen of the United 
States, except by naturalization. The conquest of New 
Mexico has opened, therefore, a new field for legal inves- 
tigation, as well as a new chapter in constitutional history. 

One month after these proceedings, (on the 25th of Sep- 
tember,) when the sparse population of that country seemed 
quiet, and the army found no other motives for activity 
than such as the amusements of Santa Fe afforded. Gen- 
eral Kearney left that place, and with four hundred dra- 
goons departed for California. He took the old Copper- 
mine route, down the Rio Grande to Sorotto, and thence 



84 ARMY OF THE CENTRE. 

to the Pacific. On the 20lh of October, three hundred 
miles west of Santa Fe, he was informed by a returning 
parly that Fremont had already taken possession of Cali- 
fornia. He then sent Major Sumner back with the largest 
part of the dragoons, and taking only one hundred with 
himself, pursued, with this small force, the daring enter- 
prise of crossing the deserts and mountains of Western 
America in the cold season. 

Thus was effected the conquest of the province of New 
Mexico by the troops of the United States : bloodless in 
its achievement, and fruitless of any immediate results, 
but illustrating the energy of the American people in the 
collection and movement of troops, and the celerity with 
which the great western plains may be traversed by mili- 
tary forces. 

At the same time that the cabinet at Washington formed 
the plan of moving a column on Santa Fe, they also or- 
ganized another against the Central States of Mexico. 
This was called the " Army of the Centre," and was di- 
rected to march on Chihuahua, the capital of the province 
of that name, and supposed to be the centre of much of the 
Mexican strength and wealth. The object of this expe- 
dition, like that of Kearney, was to detach the northern 
and northwestern from the central government of Mexico, 
and thus induce that government to make peace by cut- 
ting off its resources. 

The " Army of the Centre" was placed under the com- 
mand of Brigadier-general John E. Wool, one of the small 
but gallant band who, by their heroic stand upon the 
heights of Queenstown, had, even in defeat, shed lustre 
upon the American arms, and acquired a lasting distinc- 
tion for themselves. This army was thus composed : — 



STRENGTH OF WOOl's COMMAND. S5 

OFFICERS OF THE STAFF. 

General John E. Wool — Commander. 
Colonel Churchill — Inspector-general. 
Captain Cross — Quartermaster. 
Captain W. D. Fraser — Engineer. 

REGULAR TROOPS. 

5 companies U. S. Dragoons — Col. Harney, 300 men. 
i company Artillery — Captain Washington, - 100 " 
2 companies U. S. 6th Infantry — Capt. Bonne- 
ville, 100 " 

VOLUNTEERS. 

1 regiment of Arkansas Cavalry — Col. Yell, - 750 " 

2 regiments of Illinois Infantry — Col. Hardin, 1,600 " 
! company Kentucky Cavalry — Capt. Wil- 
liams, 90 " 

Total forces - - 2,940 " 

These troops were directed by the War Department to 
assemble at Antonio de Bexar, on the river Antonio, and 
thence proceed to Chihuahua by Presidio Rio Grande. 
At the time the orders for their assembling were given, 
these troops were in different parts of the United States, 
remote from each other and remote from the point of ren- 
dezvous. Their marches, and the celerity and exactness 
of their movement and assembling, are among the remark- 
able incidents of the war with Mexico. Tlie IHinois regi- 
ments proceeded by water, in steamboats, down the Mis- 
sissippi, and by the Gulf of Mexico to Levacca, on Mata- 
gorda Bay. Here they commenced their march to San 
Antonio. 



86 CONCENTRATES AT SAN ANTONIO. 

The Illinois regiments arrived at Pallida Creek, twelve 
miles from Levacca, on the 7th of August, and on the 
11th commenced their march to Antonio de Bexar. The 
route to Antonio was through a dry prairie, crossing the 
head-streams of the Antonio and the river Guadaloupe, 
along whose banks alone the thirsty and tired soldier 
might expect to find water and shade. A writer, who was 
a member of the Illinois troops, thus speaks of this tedious 
march : *' Heat — heat — heat ; rain — rain — rain ; mud — 
mud — mud, intermingled with spots of sand and gravel, 
form the principal features of the route from Levacca to 
San Antonio. Loaded wagons of course move slowly 
over the roads, and our troops were moreover scourged 
on the route by the mumps and the measles."^ 

These regiments arrived at Antonio de Bexar (the place 
of rendezvous) before the 1st of September: so did all 
the corps who were to assemble there. The movement 
of these bodies was quite remarkable. Captain Wash- 
ington with the regular artillery had gone from Carlisle 
Barracks, Pennsylvania, two thousand miles, and arrived 
on the 31st of August. Major Bonneville made eight 
hundred miles in six weeks with the infantry, and arrived 
on the 27lh of August. Colonel Yell, with the Arkansas 
cavalry, arrived from Washington, Arkansas, on the 28th. 
Thus, after these immense marches, did the troops of 
Wool's army concentrate, with remarkable precision, al 
the place of rendezvous, prepared to march into the terri- 
tories of Mexico. 

The extent of these marches and the extreme barren- 
ness of the country through which the route lay, after 

' " Rondenac" to the Natioual Intelligencer. — Niles's Register, 71, p. 9(X. 



MARCH UPON CHIHUAHUA. 87 

leaving the Mississippi, made this expedition one of great 
expense and difficuhy in its transportation. The real base- 
line upon which an army operates, is that which contains 
the depots of subsistence. In this instance, as throughout 
the war with Mexico, those depots were on the Missis- 
sippi river and the cities of the Atlantic coast. The same 
writer whom we have quoted says, " Forage and subsist- 
ence for the entire army are derived from New York, 
Baltimore, and New Orleans. The transportation by 
water, therefore, exceeds thousands of miles, while the 
total of land transportation may be found among the hun- 
dreds. The bare cost of bringing a bushel of corn from 
Levacca to this place (Antonio) is $1.20, and other sup- 
plies in proportion." This fact at once illustrates the ex- 
pense which invariably attends the march of an army 
through barren countries. 

Assembled at Antonio, the army was now ready to 
commence its march against Chihuahua. But with what 
object ? The declared object was to aid in establishing 
the independence of the northern States, and thus act 
against the central government of Mexico. But was this 
a probable result ? The same writer already quoted per- 
tinently asks, " Are the people of the United States pur- 
suing a war of conquest, of propagandism, or of necessity? 
Do they hope to convert provinces to their political faith 
by sending forth among them an armed soldiery to quicken 
their conclusions, and give energy to their admiration ? 
Are they desirous, by a grand military display, to exhibit 
to the Mexicans the vast superiority of their free institu- 
tions over their more humble neighbors ? Do they hope, 
by a series of marches and counter-marches, by glittering 
bayonets and flashing sabres, by waving banners and the 



88 WHAT WERE THE OBJECTS, 

clangor of martial music, lo intimidate a people too proud 
to work and almost too poor to be pitied ? Do they wish, 
by a lavish expenditure of public funds, to bribe a whole 
nation to throw off its allegiance ? Are we to plant our 
flags at Presidio Rio Grande, — beat our drums at San 
Fernando, Santa Rosa, and Monclova, — carry the tramp 
of our war-steeds through Baria, Saledo, San Carlos, and 
Chericotti, and let the thunders of our artillery roll within 
the walls of Chihuahua merely to demonstrate the mili- 
tary prowess of a great nation, and the inherent energies 
of a free people ? So far as can be seen or known at 
present, these are the sole objects of the expedition, con- 
ceived in folly, and which has already cost millions of the 
national treasury, although it has not yet passed the 
threshold."* 

The language of this writer, although strong, was pro- 
phetic. The expedition pursued the route, and was^at- 
tended with no other results than those which these ques- 
tions indicate. Early in September, the division of Wool 
took up its line of march from San Antonio for the Pre- 
sidio Rio Grande, passing, in most of the distance, over 
the same dry and uninviting plains as those which the 
Illinois Regiments had passed from Levacca to San Anto- 
nio. Crossing the Rio Grande at the Presidio, General 
Wool and his corps pushed on by long and wearisome 
marches to the village of Santa Rosa. Here it was discov- 
ered that the geographical knowledge of the War Depart- 
ment was by no means equal to its martial energies. 
Looking to the west for the road to Chihuahua the army 
beheld in front the lofty mountain-range of the Sierra 

- . __ 

' Letter of " Rondenac" to the National Intelligencer. 



ARRIVED AT SIERRA GORDA. 89 

Gorda, lifting their summits four thousand feet above the 
level of the plains ! The officer of Topographical En- 
gineers in vain looks for a single defile through which the 
army may pass to the wesl.^ It is compelled to turn 
south towards Saltillo. On the 29lh of October, six 
weeks after leaving the Rio Grande, it reaches Monclova, 
one of the principal towns of Coahuila. Here the troops 
were received in a friendly manner, the Prefect content- 
ing himself simply with a protest against the occupation 
of the Mexican country. For a month the army con- 
tinued to enjoy the Mexican hospitalities as if no hostili- 
ties interrupted the harmony of the respective nations. 
The soldiers of Wool's corps acted as the armed watch- 
men of Coahuila, The robber and the savage alike fled 
from the drum-beat of the guard and the echoes of the 
bugle. The discipline of the army was equal to its en- 
ergy ; and the inhabitants around slept peacefully while 
the conquering invader unfurled his flag along the base of 
the Sierra Gorda. 

At length General Wool, writing to General Taylor, in- 
quired — '' What is to be gained by going to Chihuahua ?" 
General Taylor, then about to occupy the state of Ta- 
maulipas by marching to Victoria, replied, that he (Wool) 
should abandon the expedition to Chihuahua, and advance 
with his column to Parras, a place still further to the 
south, and not very distant from Saltillo. Here the army 
remained for a short time, till, in the month of December, 
it joined the division of Worth, in the town of Saltillo. 
The object of the enterprise, — the conquest of Chihuahua, 



' Report of Captain Hughes, of the Topographical Corps, February, 

1847. 

h2 



90 GENERAL WOOL MARCHES TO PARRAS. 

— had previously been abandoned ; but this division, which 
had so far been employed only in marches, was soon lo 
appear, under the able Wool and the veteran Taylor, vie 
torious on the bloody and memorable field of Buena 
Vista.' 

The march of Wool, like that of Kearney, was re- 
markable for the steadiness and celerity with which new 
troops, of all the different arms, traversed vast deserts 
uninhabited, and unsupplied, except by provisions brought 
from the interior of the United Slates. By the route pur- 
sued it was seven hundred miles from San Antonio de 
Bexar to Saltillo, and this distance, deducting the period 
at Monclova and Parras, was performed in about six 
weeks. -^ 

General Wool arrived just in time at Saltillo to meet 
the intentions of General Taylor, and prepare for the 
events which followed. 

The commander on the Rio Grande had proceeded with 
a large body of troops to meet another corps, under Gen- 
eral Patterson, marching from Matamoras to occupy Vic- 
toria, the capital of the state of Tamaulipas. At Monte- 
morlos, sixty-eight miles from Monterey, Taylor was in- 
formed that Santa Anna was about to move on Saltillo, 
with a view to attack Worth. This recalled him, with 
the regulars, to Monterey. Generals Patterson and Quit- 
man proceeded to Victoria, and ultimately to Tampico, 
where they made a portion of the army of Scott, and 
took part in the brilliant and successful siege and cap- 
ture of Vera Cruz. 



' The Iliinois Regiments, the Arkansas Regiment, and Washington's 
Artillery, were in the battle of Buena Vista, and constituted oue-third of 
Taylor's army. 



EXPEDITION OF CAPTAIN FREMONT. 91 



CHAPTER VI. 

Expedition of Captain Fremont. — Arrives at Monterey, California. — Sus- 
picions of Governor de Castro. — Fremont takes position. — Returns by 
Oregon. — Returns again to Monterey. — Is threatened by De Castro. — 
Declares War. — Capture of Mexicans. — Sails from Monterey to Diego. 
— Capture of the City of Angels.— Conquest of California. — Object of 
the Government. — Marcy's Letter to Stevenson. — Marcy's Orders to 
Kearney. — Scott's Orders. — Insurrection in New Mexico. — Murder of 
Bent. — Battle of Canada.— Battle of Pueblo de Taos. — Insurrection in 
California.— March of Doniphan.— Battle of Brozitos.— Capture of El 
Paso. — Battle of^acramento. — Capture of Chihuahua. — March to Sal- 
tillo. — Arrival at New Orleans.— March of Gilpin to the Rocky Moun- 
tains. 

In the autumn of 1 845, Captain Fremont, of the To- 
pographical Corps of Engineers, set out with an armed 
party of men, prepared for hunting and Indian warfare, to 
cross the mountains and penetrate the interior of Cahfor- 
nia. This officer had been greatly distinguished in a pre- 
vious expedition for bold enterprise, scientific attainments, 
and interesting researches amidst the wilderness of Rocky 
Mountains. The ostensible object of his present journey 
was to seek a new route to Oregon, further south than the 
one heretofore travelled by emigrants, and to seek also 
scientific discoveries amidst these unknown and unde- 
scribed regions of the west. His well-known love of 
science, and his hitherto scrupulous conduct, afford strong 
presumption that such was the real purpose of his mission. 

He pursued his journey, undisturbed by any extraor- 
dinary events, till, on the 29th of January, 1846, he ar- 



92 



ARRIVES AT MONTEREY. 



rived in the neighborhood of Monterey, California. To 
avoid suspicion, or coHision, he left his party about one 
hundred miles from Monterey, and proceeded alone to that 
place to explain the object of his visit. Here he proceed- 
ed to the house of the American consul, (Mr. Larkin,) 
and then called upon the governor, De Castro. The 
governor complained that he (Fremont) was bringing an 
armed force into the province with hostile views. To 
this Captain Fremont replied, that he was not even an 
officer of the line, but belonged to the Topographical 
Corps, and that his object was to survey a new route to 
Oregon in a more southerly direction, his visit being 
peaceful, and that he desired to winter in the valley of 
the San Joaquin. To this the governor assented. Cap- 
tain Fremont then returned and brought his men nearer to 
the town, when he was informed that the governor was 
raising troops to attack him, and warned by Mr. Larkin 
(the consul) of his danger. Thus warned, he look post, 
with his small party of sixty men, on the summit of the 
Sierra, at a point about thirty miles from Monterey, and 
overlooking that town. Here, in the clear sky of the Pa- 
cific, and on this height, he could observe De Castro pre- 
paring his men to march upon the American camp. Here 
he hoisted the flag of the United Slates, and informed the 
Mexican that he would defend the post to the last. His 
intention was, if attacked and defeated, there to die with 
his companions on the spot where they had hoisted the 
flag, and leave to their country to avenge their death and 
vindicate their conduct.* This fate was fortunately avoid- 



' Benton's Letter to the President, published in the " Union," Novem- 
ber 9th, 1846. 



FREMONT DEPARTS FOR OREGON. 93 

ed. De Castro marched out, but did not attack them. 
Fremont, finding himself not attacked, marched out of his 
position on the 10th of March, by the valley of San Joa- 
quin, and commenced his march, by slow degrees, towards 
Oregon. On the following morning De Castro took pos- 
session of his camp, and finding some old vessels or 
other camp luggage, boasted of the flight of the Ameri- 
cans ! 

On the 1st of April Fremont had reached lat. 40° in 
the valley of the Sacramento. On the 14th of May he 
was on the direct route to Oregon. On the 15th he ar- 
rived at the Great Tlamath Lake. Here he found the 
mountains of the Sierra Nevada in front covered with 
snow, and himself and party surrounded by hostile In- 
dians. In this condition of aflairs he determined to re- 
turn back by the river Sacramento. On his arrival at the 
Bay of Francisco, he learns that Governor de Castro is at 
Zanona, on the opposite side, preparing an expedition 
against the American settlers. Under all the circumstan- 
ces of the case he determined, on the 6th day of June, 
to overturn, if possible, the Mexican government in Cali- 
fornia. At that time the war with Mexico actually exist- 
ed, and two battles had been fought on the Rio Grande ; 
but with this fact Captain Fremont was not acquainted. 
He formed his judgment on the circumstances around 
him, and not on any of the previous events connected 
with military operations.^ 

A party of De Castro's men having crossed the Bay, 
Fremont's men captured fourteen, with two hundred 
mules. On the 1st of June he surprised and took the 

' Colonel Benton's Letter to the President. 



94 RETURNS AND TAKES ZANONA, 

military post at Zanona. Colonel Vallejo and several 
. officers were taken, with nine cannon, and two hundred 
and fifty stand of arms. From this he proceeded to the 
Rio de los Americanos for assistance. There he heard 
that De Castro was about to attack his little garrison of 
only fourteen men, at Zanona. On the 23d of June he 
started with ninety mounted riflemen to their aid. Riding 
night and day he arrived on the 25th, a distance of eighty 
miles. De Castro's vanguard of seventy men was at- 
tacked and defeated by twenty Americans. About this 
time two Americans were taken by Torre, the comman- 
der of the Mexican party, and cut to pieces. In return, 
Fremont took and shot three of Torre's men. 

On the 4th of July Fremont assembled the Americans 
in that neighborhood at Zanona, and after making a speech, 
he and his companions declared the Independence of Cali- 
fornia. A few days after this news came from Commo- 
dore Sloat, that the American flag was hoisted at Monte- 
rey. Fremont then set out with one hundred and sixty 
riflemen in pursuit of De Castro, who was retreating with 
four hundred men. From this he is recalled by Commo- 
dore Sloat. On his return to Monterey he found Stockton 
in command, who was preparing a new expedition by 
water. By sailing down the coast he thought he might 
cut off" De Castro's retreat, who w^as moving southward- 
ly to the lower posts.^ On the 26th of July Fremont 
sailed in the sloop-of-war Cyane, with one hundred and 
sixty riflemen and seventy marines, the object being the 
port of San Diego, which it was supposed would be 
reached in time to cut off'De Castro. 

' Colonel Benton's Letter. 



CALIFORNIA CONQUERED. 95 

At this time Governor de Castro was encamped at 
Mara, three miles from Ciudad de los Angelos. In a few 
days after the departure of Fremont, Stockton sailed 
in the frigate Congress for the position of De Castro. 
When the latter heard of the approach of the American 
forces, he broke up his camp and proceeded to Mexico, 
while his officers and men were scattered in different di- 
rections'. On the 13th of August, 1846, Stockton being 
joined by Captain (now Colonel) Fremont, with Mr. Lar- 
kin, late American consul, entered the City of Angels, the 
capital of the Californias.^ Thus was completed, in a 
brief campaign, and with scarcely any bloodshed, the con- 
quest of the Californias. 

On the coast, the squadron under Commodore Sloat 
had taken the initial, and on the 6th of July, 1846, had 
hoisted the flag of the United States at Monterey. On 
the 22d of July, Commodore Stockton assumed the com- 
mand of the naval forces, and he, with Fremont, com- 
pleted, as we have seen, the overturn of the Mexican 
government in California. General Kearney did not ar- 
rive from his overland journey till these transactions were 
completed. Since then, controversies have arisen between 
the distinguished commanders on that station — Fremont 
and Kearney — in relation to their respective duties and 
commands. The events in which they were engaged have 
become memorable from their connection with the first 
footsteps and conquering march of that great nation which 
claims from destiny the dominion of the North American 
continent. In the traceway of these wild wilderness paths, 
some historian of after times may discover the steps by 



' Niles's Register, 71, p. lo5. 



96 THE president's views. 

which a nation, ascended to imperial grandeur and liberty, 
pursued the stream of civilization round the earth. 

The object of the American government, so far as the 
President can control its operations, is discovered in the 
instructions to its officers. While disclaiming conquest 
as the motive or object of the war, the executive of the 
United States furnished recorded proof that 'permanent 
conquest was intended to be its result. In the summer 
of 1846, a regiment of volunteers was raised in the city 
of New York, commanded by Colonel J. D. Stevenson. 
The object of this regiment was for some time unknown 
to the public. It was at length embarked for California. 
In the correspondence of the War Department subse- 
quently published, a letter from the Secretary (Marcy) 
disclosed the intentions of the President. Speaking of 
the composition of this regiment, the Secretary says : — 
" The President expects, and indeed requires, that great 
care should be taken to have it composed of suitable per- 
sons — I mean of good habits ; as far as practicable of 
various pursuits, and such as would he likely to remain, at 
the end of the war, either in Oregon or in any ofJter ter- 
ritory in that region of the globe which may then be a 
part of the United States."^ This regiment, then, were 
to act as pioneers in the work of conquest and coloniza- 
tion. 

The directions given by Secretary Marcy to General 
Kearney, in forming the new government, assimilate them- 
selves to this purpose. In his letter of the 3d June, 1846, 
he says — " You will establish teinporary civil govern- 
ments therein, abolishing all arbitrary restrictions that may 

" Appendix to the Congressional Globe, 1845-6, p. 809. 



INSTRUCTIONS OF THE SECRETARY. 97 

exist, so far as it can be done with safety,'" You may 
" continue existing officers, if they will take the oath of 
alles'iance to the United States." — " Assure them it is the 
wish and design of the United States to provide for them 
a free government.'''' — " They will then be called upon to 
exercise the rights of freemen."* 

At this time Mexico was a free country, so far as a 
written republican Constitution could make her so. To 
offer the people of that country freedom, then, could have 
no possible meaning, unless it was meant to bring it 
within the limits of the peculiar government of the United 
States. Much less could any other construction be put 
upon the phrase — " called upon to exercise the rights of 
freemen." 

The oath of allegiance, too, which by the laws of na- 
tions could not be deprived of its legal virtue by any action 
of a foreign nation, and, by the Constitution of the United 
States, could not be made void in this country, except by 
an act of naturalization, was thus, by the order of a Pres- 
ident, to be made void by a compulsory oath to the United 
States ! The novelty of such a doctrine, if not its utter 
contempt of the civil law of this country and the public 
law of nations, attracted the attention of grave statesmen 
and of earnest patriots. It was sought, by the friends of 
the President, to explain the meaning of these documents, 
so that they might not appear in opposition to the theory 
and Constitution of American government ; but, however 
explained, these orders and proclamations yet remain 
among the jnost extraordinary movements of an extraor- 
dinary war.** 

' Marcy's Letter, 3d June, 1846. 

' General Scott, in his official orders, while complying with the gen- 

1 7 



98 MEASURES TEND TO INSURRECTION. 

The conquest of New Mexico, which we have seen com- 
pleted under General Kearney, though apparently blood- 
less, was yet to be attended by conflicts, if less sanguinary, 
yet more interesting than the common events of war. On 
the 19th of January, 1847, a violent and totally unexpected 
insurrection against the American authorities took place at 
Taos, in 'New Mexico. The origin and progress of this 
outbreak appears, by evidence subsequently given, to have 
been this : — In pursuance of the principles stated in the 
proclamations before referred to, and of orders expressly 
given by the President, Kearney had proceeded to organize 
a civil government. He had appointed a governor, sheriff, 
district attorney, and other functionaries ; as if the general 
of an army, in the service of the United States, could have 
any other than military authority, or become by any means 
the source of a civil authority which, in the very nation he 
represented, could be conferred only through the laws. 
These civil functionaries, thus appointed, went quietly to 
work, as if they were in one of the States of the Ameri- 
can Union : unconscious that the passions of a hostile 
people, the jealousy of displaced officers, or the violation 



eral direction of the President to occupy the country, seems to have dis- 
creetly avoided in his language the absurdity involved in these proclama- 
tions, and in the order of Marcy on which they were founded. In Scott's 
Order to Kearney, dated November 3d, 1846, he says: — " You will erect 
and garrison durable defences for holding the bays of Monterey and San 
Francisco, together with such other important points in the same province 
as you may deem it necessary to occupy." — •' Yon will not, however, for- 
mally declare the province to be annexed. Permanent incorporation of 
the territory must depend on the government of the United States." lu 
tiiis language General Scott avoids the absurdities of the proclamation, 
and recognises the fuudamental distinction between the orders of the Pres- 
ident and the legislation of Congress. 



INSURRECTION AT TAOS. 99 

of national usages, could arouse the indignation of the in- 
vaded people, or expose them to more than common dan- 
gers ! They were mistaken in fact, as they were incautious 
in conduct. The displaced officers and the national pride 
occasioned a conspiracy to overthrow the American power 
in New Mexico, It appears from testimony that Thomas 
Cortez, Diego Archillette, Pino, Armijo, and others formed 
a plan for a general insurrection and overthrow of the 
Americans on Christmas night. This failed, or rather, 
was postponed. On the 15th of January, however, a 
tragedy occurred which startled the Americans, both in 
New Mexico and in the United States. On that night, Gov- 
ernor Charles Bent, with Elliott the sheriff, and twenty- 
three others, were murdered in the town of San Fernando 
de Taos. Seven others were killed at Turley's, eight 
miles from Taos, in the valley of the Moro.^ In a short 
time the insurrection became general, and Col. Sterling 
Price, who commanded the troops at Santa Fe, learned 
that a strong body of Mexicans and Indians were advan- 
cing against the place. Mustering pearly four hundred 
troops — cavalry, infantry, and artillery — lie marched out 
to meet them on the 23d of January. He found them 
posted, in a strong position, on the heights and in houses 
below, in front of the village of Covoda. The battle com- 
menced with a cannonade and general firing, which lasted 
for an hour and a half. Colonel Price then ordered a 
general discharge upon the houses and lines of the enemy. 
They were soon dispersed in every direction.^ The Mex- 
ican force engaged was supposed to be fifteen hundred 



' Lt. Abort's Letter of February 20th, in the Union. 
« Colonel Price's Despatch, 15th February, 1847. 



100 ATTACK ON PUEBLO DE TAOS. 

men. Their loss was ihirty-six. That of the Americans 
two killed and six wounded. ^ 

On the 27th of January Colonel Price marched to Lu- 
ceros, on the Rio Grande, and on the 29th to La Joya, a 
strong pass, situated in a canon, or deep pass of the moun- 
tains, where the men could scarcely move abreast. Along 
the slopes of the mountains the enemy were posted, and 
there they were attacked by a detachment under Captain 
Burgwin of one hundred and eiglily men, who, after a short 
conflict, dislodged them, with the loss to the Mexicans of 
twenty killed and sixty wounded.^ On the 1st of Febru- 
ary the main body of the forces, under Colonel Price, 
reached the top of the Taos mountain, which was cov- 
ered with, snow two feet deep. On the 2d they quartered 
at Rio Chiciti. On the 3d they entered the town of Don 
Fernando de Taos, which was the scene of the massacre 
of Governor Bent and party. The Mexican village was 
abandoned by the enemy, who had taken post at the In- 
dian town of Pueblo de Taos. This was a strongly-for- 
tified post. The key to the position was a large church, 
and two large buildings ascending in a pyramidal form, six 
or seven stories high, and pierced with embrasures for 
rifles. Around these was a wall, and within them the 
enemy had taken post. The Americans brought up a six- 
pounder and a howitzer, with which they battered the 
church and walls for two hours; but their ammunition- 
wagons not having come up, they retreated to Fernando. 

On the morning of the 4th, at nine a. m., the Americans 
again advanced, determined to take the place. The si.x- 
pounder and two howitzers, commanded by Lieutenant 

' Colonel Price's Despatch, 15th February, 1847. 



PUEBLO DE TAOS TAKEN. 101 

Dyer, of the Ordnance, were brought to bear against the 
church on one side, and two howitzers on another side. 
After battering for two hours a charge was made by Cap- 
tain Burgwin, of the Dragoons, with two companies in one 
line, and Captain Angrecy, with three companies in an- 
other hne.^ In this assault Captain Burgwin, a heutenant 
of volunteers, and several dragoons were killed. The 
church walls were still unpenetrated by the Artillery. 
Ladders were made, and a small hole cut with axes ; 
through that, fire was thrown into the church. A new as- 
sault was made upon the church door, which failed, with 
loss.^ The six-pounder was then run up, at half-past 
three p. m., within sixty yards, and a breach made large 
enough to admit four men abreast. A storming party 
then entered the church, which was found full of smoke. 
The enemy still occupied the two large buildings ; but 
early next morning, the aged men and women, bearing 
their children, images, and crosses, came out to meet the 
army, begging for mercy. The request was granted. In 
this battle the Americans were about four hundred and 
fifty; the Mexicans about six hundred. The Ameri- 
can loss w^as fifty-four killed and vv^ounded ; that of 
the Mexicans one hundred and fifty-two killed and 
many wounded. Taken, as a whole, the short cam- 
paign of Colonel Price, with Captain Burgwin and others, 
from the 20th of January to the 5th of February, 1847, 
was one of the best exhibitions of military gallantry which 
has occurred in the minor parts of the war. Marching 
in midwinter over snow-covered ground, they three times 



' Letter of Lieutenant A. B. Dyer. 
' Colonel Price's Report, 15th February, 1847. 
I2 



102 DIFFICULTIES IN CALIFORNIA. 

engaged the enemy ; and in the last conflict, stormed and 
carried a very strong military position against superior 
numbers. 

During the winter of 1846-7 the Californians, either not 
properly understanding or not impressed with the value of 
an oath of allegiance to the government of the United 
States, also rose in insurrection. At the City of Angels, 
and other points, the flag of the United States was torn 
down, and that of Mexico hoisted in its place. In No- 
vember, 1846, an action occurred at Domingos Rancho, 
between a party from the United States frigate Savannah 
and a portion of the Californians. The latter were forti- 
fied, and supported by artillery. They gained an advan- 
tage over the sailors, who were on foot, which raised their 
courage and excited their hopes. In December, Commo- 
dore Stockton, having landed at Diego, adv'anced to the 
City of Angels, and again re-established the American 
dominion. 

Soon after this a battle occurred between the Ameri- 
cans under General Kearney and the Mexicans at San 
Gabriel. In this engagement the Mexicans were defeat- 
ed with loss ; but on the American side several were 
killed, and General Kearney wounded. 

In New Mexico and California, the inhabitants appear 
to have been much more interested in regaining their 
country by popular insurrection, than they had been iu 
defending it against the advance of the invaders. Either 
they had been at first surprised, and yielded to an unex- 
pected necessity, or the American army, and the new 
governments instituted among them had not impressed their 
minds with an idea of superiority and excellence. Both may 
in some measure have been true. But the lesson taught 



Doniphan's expedition. 103 

by these insurrections is, that the Mexican inhabitants of 
New Mexico and Cahfornia remain under the dominion of 
the United States only as a conquered people ; not from 
any adhesion to oaths of allegiance, or to any admiration 
for the free institutions which were proclaimed among 
them. 

In the interval between the conquest of New Mexico 
by Kearney, and the march of Scott from Vera Cruz, 
there occurred, in the northern provinces of Mexico, one 
of those military adventures which convert the realities 
of history into the brilliant and enticing scenes of romance. 
This w^as the march of Colonel Doniphan's corps through 
the wild and unknown regions of Northern Mexico. 
When the American army, under Kearney, had reached 
Santa Fe, it was already nine hundred miles from the 
point of its departure. The great part of this distance 
had been passed over vast prairie plains, over arid deserts, 
in the valleys of streams, where no town or habitation was 
seen, and over hills like the Raton, from whose lofty 
summit no sign of civilization could be seen, and the dis- 
tant horizon was limited only by the towering peaks of 
the Rocky Mountains. At Santa Fe there was but little 
real interruption to this wilderness prospect. New Mex- 
ico contained fifty thousand square miles, but only one 
hundred thousand inhabitants. The States of Chihuahua, 
Durango, and Coahuila, below, scarcely contained a 
greater population in proportion. Here and there a Mex- 
ican town appeared, and at intervals spots of beautiful 
culture, of vineyards and fruits ; but, for the most part, 
there were uninhabited regions, unknown to the Ameri- 
cans, and almost untrodden by travellers. 

In the early part of December Colonel Doniphan left 



104 DONIPHAN MARCHES FOR CHIHUAHUA. 

Sanla Fe with eight hundred men, in three divisions, des- 
tined for Chihuahua. The object of the expedition was 
to join General Wool in the heart of Northern Mexico. 
Wool, as has been detailed, marched with what was 
called the Army of the Centre from San Antonio de 
Bexar for Chihuahua. The latter point he never reach- 
ed ; but Colonel Doniphan now supposed him either at 
Chihuahua or on his route. Doniphan, accordingly, 
marched south to form a junction. On the 21st of De- 
cember his corps reached Brozitos, and the troops were 
dispersed getting wood, when a large force of the enemy, 
supposed to be a thousand strong, appeared in sight. 
The Americans immediately formed in line. The Mex- 
icans were composed of Lancers and Infantry. A Mex- 
ican officer rode out on a fine charger, displaying a black 
flag. Their column immediately charged, and were re- 
ceived by the Americans with a well-directed fire of rifles. 
This determined the engagement. The Mexicans fled, 
Doniphan then pursued his march at his leisure. 

On the 27th of December Doniphan's corps entered 
El Paso del Norte without opposition. This is a consid- 
erable town on the Rio del Norte, or rather Rio Grande, 
the former being the name of that river in New Mexico. 
This town contains about five thousand inhabitants ; but 
there are about eleven thousand settled along the river for 
twenty-five miles. It is on the road to Chihuahua, and 
at one of the principal crossings of the Rio Grande. 

Here Colonel Doniphan was compelled to wait for re- 
inforcements, and also to hear from General Wool. The 
Americans were surrounded with a hostile population, 
and continually expecting an attack. One who was pres- 
ent writes, " Here we have spent a month in anxiety. 



HALTS AT EL PASO DEL NORTE. 105 

drudgery, and toil."^ Nothing, however, was heard from 
Wool ; and it was long before reinforcements arrived. 
At length, on the 1st of February, Captain Weigh tman 
arrived with the Artillery, and Doniphan's command was 
increased to the amount of about nine hundred men. 

In the latter part of February he set out from El Paso, 
and on the 2.3d the American forces were at Carmen, one 
hundred miles from Chihuahua. In the mean time, Gen- 
eral Heredia, who commanded the Mexican forces in 
Chihuahua, having heard of the approach of the Ameri- 
can army, despatched General Conde with eight hundred 
cavalry to watch the Americans. On the 21st General 
Heredia himself took position with additional troops near 
the Sacramento river, and awaited the approach of Colo- 
nel Doniphan. 

The forces of Heredia were thus composed : — ,, 

Conde's Cavalry - - - 800 men 

7th Regular Infantry - - - 70 " 

Chihuahua Battalion - - - 250 " 

National Guards - - - 180 " 

Dragoons ----- 50 " 

Ten pieces of artillery - - 119 " 

Corps of other cavalry - - 106 " 

Total of Heredia's army - 1575 " 

Many of these troops were the new levies of the country 
— National Guards and Volunteers.^ 

On the 28th of February the American army discovered 



' Letter in the Missouri Republican. 

» General Jose Heredia's Report, March 2d, 1847, in the " Union," 
April 19 th. 



106 BATTLE OF SACRAMENTO. 

the enemy intrenched near the Rancho Sacramento, on 
the river Sacramento. The position was a very strong 
one. It was in a valley about four miles in width, having 
a range of mountains on each side. The Rio Sacramen- 
to, and Arroyo Seco, both crossed the valley here ; and 
the main road to Chihuahua, pursuing the valley, crosses 
the Sacramento at the Rancho Sacramento. The Mexi- 
can intrenchments were on a ridge between these streams, 
and completely commanding the road. Their right rested 
on the Cerro Frijoles, with high precipitous sides, on 
which was a battery commanding the surrounding coun- 
try and the pass leading to Chihuahua, through the Arroyo 
Seco. On their left was the Cerro Sacramento, a pile of 
immense volcanic rocks, surmounted by a battery which 
commanded the main road to Chihuahua.* 

A passage was found practicable across the Arroyo 
Seco, within reach of the enemy's fire ; and the Ameri- 
can column having reached the ground between the Seco 
and Sacramento, commenced deploying towards the table- 
land occupied by the Mexicans. The column of General 
Conde's cavalry, opposed to the American right, now com- 
menced a charge, which was returned by the fire of the 
Artillery Battery, consisting of six pieces, under the com- 
mand of Major Clark. At the third fire the enemy's cav- 
alry gave way and dispersed.^ They fell back to the 
Mexican camp, and rallied behind a redoubt. This the 
Americans attacked with artillery, Captain Weightman 
rapidly advancing with two howitzers, supported by Cap- 
tain Reed's company of horse, and then by Lieutenant- 

' Report of Major Clark to Colonel Doniphan, March 2d, 1847. 
' Heredia's Report. 



MEXICANS DEFEATED. 107 

colonel Mitchell, delivering his fire with great effect, the 
enemy were driven from the redoubt. The Mexicans 
were pursued towards the mountains by Lieutenant- 
colonel Mitchell, Lieutenant-colonel Jackson, and Major 
Gilpin, accompanied by Weightman with his section of 
howitzers. In the mean time the Mexicans had carried 
their cannon to the Cerro Sacramento, to cover their re- 
treat. The fire of the American artillery soon silenced 
these, and the Rancho Sacramento was then attacked. 
Al length the Mexicans were driven from their last posi- 
tion, and the victory was complete.^ The Mexicans lost 
one hundred men and ten pieces of artillery. 

Colonel Doniphan and his little army entered the city 
of Chihuahua, the fruit of this victory, in divisions, on the 
1st and 2d of March. This town is the capital of one of 
the most important States of Mexico, and contains more 
than forty thousand inhabitants. It lies on a branch of 
the Conchas river, two hundred and fifty miles south of 
El Paso. On the east lies the Rio Grande, and on the 
west the lofty summits of the Sierra Madre. The coun- 
try is diversified with mountains and vales. The army 
passed rugged cliffs of basaltic rock on one side, and on 
the other fields rich with the finest wheat. In- the clear 
atmosphere of this elevated region, the mountain-tops 
would seem, in the distance, blue as the skies above ; or, 
near by, would darkly frown in the cold gray aspect of 
its granite rock. Chihuahua, too, is the centre of rich 
and various mines. Not more than twelve miles from it 
are silver mines supposed to be the richest in Mexico. 
These mines are generally owned by private companies, 

* Clark's Report. 



108 DONIPHAN OCCUPIES CHIHUAHUA. 

composed of English or Spanish proprietors. At Chi- 
huahua, in this rich country and pleasant climate, the 
army of Doniphan rested in the bright days of spring. 
They had departed so far from the American lines of in- 
telligence, as to be ignorant of the situation or place of the 
American forces. The expedition had been planned with 
the idea that the corps of Doniphan would find the army 
of Wool at Chiliuahua ; but that army was not there. 
The reason we have already seen. Wool had encountered 
beyond Monclova the lofty ridges of the Sierra Madre, and 
been compelled to change his course to the south, and 
eventually to Saltillo.^ After waiting in vain for any ap- 
pearance of Wool, and having remained six weeks at Chi- 
huahua,^ the army at last took its line of march. Colonel 
Doniphan moved his corps from Chihuahua in three divis- 
ions, on the 25th, 26th, and 28th of April. Marching 
southwardly, through Cerro Gordo, Mapimi, and Parras, 
they reached Saltillo, three hundred and fifty miles fur- 
ther, on the 22d of May, 1847. Remaining but three 
days, on the 25th day of May they marched to Monterey. 
Pursuing their journey with rapid steps, they descended 
the Rio Grande, navigated the Gulf of Mexico, and arrived 
at New Orleans on the 15th of June. Here the volunteers 
were mustered out of the service of the United States, 
embarked on steamboats, and were soon returned to their 
homes in Missouri. In a little more than a year, this 
corps of volunteers, mustered from private life, had, by 
land and by water, — over mountain-tops and sandy plains, — 

■ See Chapter 5th. 

" For a full and most interesting account of Doniphan's expedition, see 
" Doniphan's Expedition," by J. T. Hughes. Published by J. A. James 
&/ Co., Cincinnati. 



RETURNS TO THE UNITED STATES. 109 

in snow and in rain, and in hot deserts, — amidst the homes 
of civilization and the wilds of savages, — amidst the fires 
of battle, the sports of the camp, and the adventures of 
the wild wilderness, pursued their unchecked career for 
five thousand miles ! Nor was this all. One detachment 
of this same corps, previous to the departure of the main 
body from Santa Fe, had marched another thousand miles 
in still wilder scenes and greater adventure. This was 
the detachment of Lt. Col. Gilpin, who was sent out 
towards the Rocky Mountains to overawe the Navajos 
Indians. This was a tribe which, unlike most tribes of 
Indians, lived in the pastoral slate, and inhabited the great 
unknown country lying between New Mexico and the Col- 
orado of the south. General Kearney had promised the 
New Mexicans protection from the incursions of this tribe. 
To carry out this intention, Gilpin's detacliment was sent 
into their country. This command actually crossed the 
Rocky Mountains, and descended into the valley of the 
Colorado of the south. Their march was full of new 
scenery, new dangers, and new adventures. Tribes of 
Indians unknown to the people of the United States were 
found and observed. The grizly bear, supposed to inhabit 
chiefly the polar regions, was here found a common tenant 
of the mountains. After this party had thus pursued its 
novel and most interesting march through the spurs and 
rivers, and wild tribes and wilder animals of the Rocky 
Mountains, it returned in time to join the long and adven- 
turous march of Doniphan to Chihuahua and the Gulf of 
Mexico.^ 

' See the " Expedition of Doniphan," by J. T. Hughes, mentioned be- 
fore. The narrative of Mr. Hughes may be relied upon for accuracy, and 
ifi a graphic account of these remarkable adventures. 
K 



110 SCOTT ORDERED TO MEXICO. 



CHAPTER VII. 

General Scott ordered to Mexico. — Letter of the Secretary of War to 
General Taylor. — Letter of the Secretary of War to General Scott. — 
General Scott leaves Washington. — His Letter to General Taylor. — 
Plan of appointing a Lieutenant-General. — Scott reaches the Rio 
Grande. — Condition of things there. — Withdraws a part of Taylor's 
Troops in compliance with the Orders of the War Department. 

On the 18th of November, General Scott was directed 
by the Secretary of War to hold himself in readiness to 
assume the command of the army destined to make a de- 
scent on Vera Cruz. The purpose of organizing a force 
for this object was communicated to General Tkylor in a 
letter from the Secretary of War, dated Washington, Oct. 
22, 1846 : 

" I informed you in my last despatch, that in connec- 
tion with an invasion of Tamaulipas and attack on Tam- 
pico, an expedition against Vera Cruz was then under 
advisement. Upon a more full consideration of the sub- 
ject, it is believed that Vera Cruz may be taken, and 
having possession of that city, the castle of San Juan de 
Ulloa might possibly be reduced or compelled to surren- 
der. If the expedition could go forth without the object 
being known to the enemy, it is supposed that four thou- 
sand troops would be sufficient for the enterprise, re- 
ceiving as they would the co-operation of our naval force 
in the gulf; but at least ff teen hundred or two thousand of 
them should be of the regular army, and itnder the command 



SCOTT ORDERED TO MEXICO. Ill 

of officers best calculated for such an undertaking. In 
looking at the disposition of the troops, it appears to be 
scarcely possible to get the requisite number of regulars 
without drawing some of those noiv with you at Monterey, or 
on the way to that place. Should you decide against hold- 
ing military possession of any place in Coahuila or Chi- 
huahua, and order the troops under General Wool to join 
you, it is presumed that the requisite force for the expe- 
dition to Vera Cruz could be detached without interfering 
with your plans of operation. 

" You will therefore, unless it materially interferes with 
your own plan of operations, or weakens you too much in 
your present position, make the necessary arrangements 
for having four thousand men, of whom fifteen hundred or 
two thousand should be regular troops, ready to embark 
for Vera Cruz, or such other destination as may be given 
them, at the earliest practicable period. The place of 
embarkation will probably be the Brazos Santiago, or in 
that vicinity." 

On the 23d of November General Scott received the 
following order from the Secretary of War : — 

War Department, Washington, \ 
November 23d, 1846. \ 

Sir — The President, several days since, communicated in 
person to you his orders to repair to Mexico, to take the com- 
mand of the forces there assembled, and particularly to organ- 
ize and set on foot an expedition to operate on the Gulf coast, 
if, on arriving at the theatre of action, you shall deem it to be 
practicable. It is not proposed to control your operations by 
definite and positive instructions, but you are left to prosecute 
them as your judgment, under a full view of all the circum- 
stances, shall dictate. The work is before you, and the 



112 MAKES THE ARRANGEMENTS. 

means provided, or to be provided, for accomplishing it, are 
committed to you, in the full confidence that you will use 
them to the best advantage. 

The objects which it is desirable to obtain have been in- 
dicated, and it is hoped that you will have the requisite force 
to accomplish them. 

Of this you must be the judge, when preparations are 
made, and the time for action arrived. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 
W. L. Marcy, 

Secretary of War. 
General AViNfiELD Scott. 

General Scott imnnediately made all the arrangements 
to carry the plan into full effect. The requisite number 
of transports were to be provided, surf-boats for the land- 
ing of the troops constructed, a train of siege ordnance 
was to be collected and sent forward, and ten new regi- 
ments were to be added to the line of the army, at the 
earliest possible moment after the meeti/ig of Congress. 
In a very few days all the preliminary arrangements were 
completed, and General Scott left Washington on the 
24th November, in the full belief that he enjoyed the con- 
fidence of the government, and that the conduct of the 
war, under general instructions, had beenrentirely confided 
to his discretion and judgment. 

The only reluctance which he felt in accepting the high 
trusts confided to him by the President, arose from an un- 
willingness to interfere, in the slightest degree, with the 
command of an old friend and brother soldier ; and this 
feeling was strongly expressed to General Taylor in a let- 
ter written from New York, November 25lh, 1846. 



Scott's letter to general taylor. 113 

" I left Washington late in the day yesterday, and ex- 
pect to embark for New Orleans the 30th inst. By the 
12th of December I may be in that city, at Point Isabel 
the 17th, and Camargo, say the 23d — in order to be with- 
in easy corresponding distance from you. It is not prob- 
able that I may be able to visit Monterey, and circum- 
stances may prevent your coming to me. I shall much 
regret not having an early opportunity of felicitating you 
in person upon your many brilliant achievements ; but we 
may meet somewhere in the interior of Mexico. 

" I am not coming, my dear general, to supersede you 
in the immediate command on the line of operations ren- 
dered illustrious by you and yotir gallant army. My pr^- ^, 
posed^lheatre is different. You may imagine it ; and I 
wish very much that it were prudent, at this distance, to 
tell you all that I expect to attempt or hope to execute. 
I have been admonished that despatches have been lost, 
and I have no special messenger at hand. Your imagi- 
nation will be aided by the letters of the Secretary of 
War, conveyed by Mr. Armistead, Major Graham, and 
Mr. M'Lane. 

" But, my dear general, I shall be obliged to take from 
you 'most of the gallant officers and men, (regulars and 
volunteers,) whom you have so long and so nobly com- 
manded. I am afraid that I shall, by imperious neces- 
sity — the approach of yellow fever on the Gulf coast — re- 
duce you, for a time, to stand on the defensive. This 
will be infinitely painful to you, and, for that reason, dis- 
tressing to me. But I rely upon your patriotism to sub- 
mit to the temporary sacrifice with cheerfulness. No 
man can better afford to do so. Recent victories place 
you on the high eminence ; and I even flatter myself that 
k2 8 



1 14 SCOTT's letter to general TAYLOR. 

any benefit that may result to me, personally, from the 
unequal division of troops alluded to, will lessen the pain 
of your consequent inactivity. 

" You will be aware of the recent call for nine regi- 
ments of new volunteers, including one of Texas horse. 
The President may soon ask for many more ; and we are 
not without hope that Congress may add ten or twelve to 
the regular establishment. These, by the spring, say 
April, may, by the aid of large bounties, be in the field — 
should Mexico not earlier propose terms of accommoda- 
tion ; and, long before the spring, (March,) it is probable 
you will be again in force to resume offensive operations. 

" It was not possible for me to find time to write from 
Washington, as I much desired. I only received an inti- 
mation to hold myself in preparation for Mexico, on the 
18th instant. Much has been done towards that end, and 
more remains to be executed. 

" Your detailed report of the operations at Monterey, 
and reply to the Secretary's despatch, by Lieutenant 
Armistead, were both received two days after I was in- 
structed to proceed south." 

Before ordering General Scott to Mexico, as subse- 
quently appeared by the statements of Senator Benton, 
the President had decided to create the office of lieuten- 
ant-general, and thus supersede, not only the scar-marked 
hero of Chippewa and Niagara, but also to tear the fresh 
laurels of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma from the 
brow of the gallant Taylor. After this plan had been 
finally arranged, the President sent for General Scott, and 
confided to him the command of the army in Mexico, and 
gave to him the most solemn assurance of his confidence 
and support. 



SCOTT SAILS FOR NEW ORLEANS. 115 

Immediately on the opening of Congress the project of 
creating a higher militar}' grade was l)rought forward, and 
the friends of generals Scott and Taylor saw with alarm, 
that a plan was maturing by which they were both to be 
degraded to subordinate stations, and the entire direction 
of affairs in Mexico confided to other and untried hands. 
The friends of General Scott now saw that his apprehen- 
sions of an attack " from the rear," and which had been 
frankly expressed in his former letters, were indeed but 
too well founded ; and that notwithstanding the assurance 
given on his departure from Washington for the army, of 
the full and cordial support of the government, the plan 
of wresting from him the command, at the earliest pos- 
sible day, was then matured, and ready for speedy execu- 
tion. In view of all the circumstances, it is, perhaps, not 
uncharitable to suppose that he was selected for that com- 
mand, for the purpose of stirring up a spirit of rivalry be- 
tween his friends and those of General Taylor, and thus 
affording a plausible pretext for superseding them both. 

On the 30th of November General Scott sailed from 
New York, in the fullest confidence that the government 
was acting in good faith, and that every means would be 
furnished him for the prosecution of the war. Little did 
he then suppose, that before he could reach the theatre of 
active operations the government which had selected and 
sent him, would attempt to degrade him in the eyes of 
the world, by declaring, in effect, that he was unfit for 
the very place to which he had been so recently ap 
pointed. 

With the generous confidence of a brave soldier, who 
had otlen met the enemy in deadly conflict, he received 
through the President the plighted faith of the nation that 



116 SCOTT REACHES THE RIO GRANDE. 

all was right. The President saw him depart in the ful- 
ness of this confidence, and yet before he reached the 
army, the proposition to supersede him was already there. 
Yes, the very army into which he was to breathe the in- 
spiration of hope — which he was to train and prepare for 
the deadly conflicts that awaited them — was informed, in 
advance, that the President had no confidence in their 
commander-in-chief. 

General Scott reached the Rio Grande about the first 
of January. Early in the month it became evident that 
some of the principal arrangements for the attack on Vera 
Cruz were not likely to be carried out by the government. 
The bill for raising the ten additional regiments was lost 
sight of by the administration, in the desire to carry their 
favorite project of placing a political partisan at the head 
of the army ; and this bill, which ought to have been 
passed in the first week of the session, was not finally 
disposed of till a day or two before the adjournment. 

What was the condition of things in Mexico at this 
critical period ? 

Santa Anna, with a force of twenty-two thousand men, 
was at San Luis Potosi, a fortified city containing sixty 
thousand inhabitants, and about equally distant from Mon- 
terey, Vera Cruz, and Mexico. 

General Taylor was in the vicinity of Monterey, in the 
command of a force of about eighteen thousand men, oc- 
cupying the long line from Saltillo to Camargo, and thence 
to the mouth of the Rio Grande, where General Scott 
had just arrived with a small force, for the purpose of at- 
tacking Vera Cruz as soon as possible. He well knew 
that the vomiio makes its appearance there in the early 
spring, and that delay would be fatal. The transports. 



ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CAMPAIGN. 117 

Stores, and munitions, were beginning to arrive. What 
was to be done ? Was the expedition against Vera Cruz 
to be abandoned, or was General Scott to go forward and 
do the best he could under circumstances so discouraging ? 
He adopted the latter alternative. He reviewed all the 
disposable forces within his command, and carefully 
weighed chances and probabilities. He forwarded to 
General Taylor a full plan of his proposed operations. 
By the capture and assassination of Lieutenant Ritchie, 
the bearer of these despatches, the plans were fully dis- 
closed to Santa Anna, and he became apprized that Vera 
Cruz was to be the main point of attack. At Vera Cruz, 
and its immediate vicinity, there were six or seven thou- 
sand men, and a much larger number coiTId be collected 
from the adjoining country on a short notice. Would 
Santa Anna break up his camp at San Luis Potosi, and 
march on Vera Cruz — fill the city and castle with his 
best troops, and oppose the landing of General Scott with 
a selected army of forty thousand men ? Or, was he like- 
ly to abandon the town and castle to their fate, thus leav- 
ing open the road to Mexico, and march with his whole 
force against General Taylor, over a desert of one hun- 
dred and fifty miles, with a certainty of having to encoun- 
ter his enemy either in the defiles of the mountains or 
from behind the impregnable battlements of Monterey ? 

Under such circumstances it became the duty of Gen- 
eral Scott so to divide the forces of the Rio Grande as 
would be most likely to meet any contingency that might 
arise. He collected the regular infantry — for these might 
be necessary to carry with the bayonet the fortified city 
and castle of Vera Cruz. He left within the limits of 
General Taylor's command, about ten thousand volun- 



118 DIVISION OF THE FORCES, 

teers and several companies of the best artillery of the 
regular army. These General Taylor, might have con* 
centrated at Monterey, and General Scott suggested to 
him, in his instructions, to do so, if it became necessary. 
With this comparatively small force, General Taylor not 
only maintained all the posts within his command, but 
with the one half of it achieved the memorable victory of 
Buena Vista. 

General Scott assigned twelve thousand men to the ex- 
pedition against Vera Cruz, and had Santa Anna concen- 
trated his forces at that point, the disparity of numbers 
would have been much greater than at Buena Vista. 
These remarks are not made for the purpose of comparing 
the skill, or the conduct, or the claims to public gratitude 
of the two distinguished generals who have so well fulfil- 
led every trust reposed in them by their country ; but sim- 
ply to show that in the disposition of the forces made by 
General Scott, he did not take a larger portion for his own 
command than the interests of the service imperatively 
demanded. 



GENERAL TAYLOr's MOVEMENTS. 119 



CHAPTER VIII. 

General Taylor's Movements. — Taylor's Position. — Santa Anna's Ad- 
vance. — Importance of the event. — Battle of Buena Vista. — Retreat of 
the Mexicans. — Taylor's Official Account. — Santa Anna's Report. 

In pursuance of orders fr(5hi the War Department, 
General Taylor, in the month of November, ordered the 
divisions of Generals Twiggs, Quitman, and Pillow from 
Monterey to Victoria, for the purpose of joining at Tam- 
pico the expedition against Vera Cruz. In the latter part 
of December, General Patterson's division left Matamoras 
for the same destination, by the route through Victoria ; 
while General Worth's division proceeded from Saltillo to 
Camargo, thence to Matamoras, and joined General Scott 
at the Brazos. 

At Victoria, on the 30th of December, 1846, General 
Taylor received information of Scott's departure for Mex- 
ico. Santa Anna, in the mean time, was at San Luis 
Potosi, with an army of twenty-two thousand men. 

In the latter part of January, 1847, General Taylor left 
Victoria and established his headquarters at Monterey, 
and early in February his whole force at this point, inclu- 
dmg the volunteers who had recently joined him, amounted 
to between six and seven thousand men. 

Soon after reaching Monterey, he received intelligence 



120 GENERAL TAYLOR's POSITION. 

that a party of dragoons under Colonel May had been 
surprised at Encarnacion, in the early part of February, 
and that Cassius M. Clay and Majors Borland and 
Gaines were taken prisoners by General Minon, at the 
head of fifteen hundred men. These circunristances 
induced General Taylor to believe that Santa Anna in- 
tended advancing with his whole army, and he determined 
to proceed at once to Sallillo and give him battle. 

Leaving a force of fifteen hundred men, he departed 
from Monterey on the 31st of January, and reached Sal- 
tillo on the 2d of February. Having, in the mean time, 
been reinforced by five hundred men, his effective force 
was about five thousand. On the 4th of February he 
advanced to Agiia Nueva, a strong position on the road 
leading from Saltillo to San Luis. Here he remained 
until the 21st, when he received intelligence that Santa 
Anna was advancing with his whole army. Having 
carefully examined the strong mountain-passes, he de- 
cided that Buena Vista, a strong mountain-pass eleven 
miles nearer Saltillo, was the most favorable point 
to make a stand against a force so overwhelming. He 
therefore fell back to that place ; and having formed his 
army in order of battle, calmly awaited the approach of 
the enemy. 

The position of the American army at this moment 
was most critical. The regular troops had been with- 
drawn, with the exception of four companies of artillery, 
and even these had been filled up by new levies. The 
volunteers, of which the army was mainly composed, 
had received some instruction in the regular duties of 
the camp, but had not attained that perfection in disci- 
pline which gives confidence in mihtary operations. 



CHOOSES HIS BATTLE-GROUND. 121 

The army of Santa Anna was admirably equipped. 
It was composed of the flower of the Mexican nation^ 
and numbered more than four to one of the army which 
it came to conquer. Hope and dire necessity both 
urged them to victory. Those who remembered that 
the American arms had triumphed at Palo Alto, Resaca 
de la Palma, and Monterey, well knew that the regular 
soldiers, who had contributed so largely to those victories, 
had been ordered to distant fields of operations ; and that 
even courage and enthusiasm, without discipline, are un- 
availing against multiplied numbers. 

The commander, Santa Anna, had well considered the 
advantages he would derive from this movement, if suc- 
cessful, and all the chances were in his favor. Could 
he have driven General Taylor from his position at Buena 
Vista, he would have swe{)t down to Camargo, and over 
the whole valley of the Rio Grande. All the munitions 
of war, provisions, camp equipage, and public property 
of every description would have fallen into his hands, 
and the American troops would have been driven from 
every inch of ground which they occupied in the Mexican 
territory. 

If defeated, Santa Anna well knew that his moral 
power over his army would be broken. The desert in 
his rear, and over which he had just passed, could not 
be traversed by a retreating and dispirited army without 
great loss and suffering. The fate of his country seemed 
suspended on the issue of a single battle. His own fame, 
his place in history, were both to be decided in the com- 
ing conflict. 

On the 22d of February, a day memorable in American 
history, General Taylor saw the Mexican host approach 

L 

\ 




~~^^^ III -*.!ilt*'= 






Mexican i=i« Infautn-, i^ Cavalry, '|' Artillery, moving to the attack. 
United States = Infantry, ^ Cavalry, t Artillery, receiving the attack. 

Tfy Lieut. Col. Mansfield, Corp. Engineers. 



IMPORTANCE OF THE RESULT. 123 

the narrow mountain-pass which he had selected as the 
Thermopylae of his army. 

The position of the two armies at, and soon after the 
commencement of the battle, is shown by the map. The 
enemy's right, opposite to our left, is concentrated in col- 
umns of attack behind a spur of the mountain, and his 
riflemen are on the side of the inaccessible mountain firing 
across a deep gully at our riflemen on the same moun- 
tain. A small eminence and spur of the mountain be- 
tween them is unoccupied by either party. On our ex- 
treme left is the 3d Indiana regiment, supported by three 
pieces of artillery, one of which was lost in the onset of 
the morning; next, is the 1st Illinois regiment, with a 
piece of artillery on either flank ; next, two pieces of ar- 
tillery and a squadron of dragoons ; next, two pieces of 
artillery and the 2d Kentucky foot ; next, four companies 
of the 2d Illinois regiment on a spur of the plateau, at 
the foot of which is a parapet across the road, behind 
which are four pieces of artillery and two companies of 
the 2d Illinois regiment. A little to the rear is the 2d In- 
diana regiment on an eminence, behind which is a squad- 
ron of dragoons ; and still further to the rear, near the 
rancho of Buena Vista, is the 1st Mississippi regiment, 
and one piece of artillery just arrived from Saltillo under 
General Taylor. In rear of our extreme left, on the edge 
of the plateau, are the Kentucky and Arkansas cavalry. 

General Taylor, in reviewing his army, could not but 
recollect that the troops which formed his first encamp- 
ment at Corpus Christi, and had shared with him the 
toils and triumphs of the campaign of 1846, were not 
in his line of battle. New men had come to replace 
them. Would these, as those, stand firm amid sheets of 



124 AMERICAN ARMY VICTORIOUS. 

flame, the roar of artillery, and the impetuous rush of the 
charge ? Were they worthy successors of the old guards, 
who would die at their posts, facing the enemy ? These 
are questions which must have agitated the mind of the 
commander on the eve of that great battle. Fortunately 
for the country they have been all rightly answered. His 
own great example appears to have supplied the want of 
discipline, and inspired the troops with heroic enthusiasm. 
The volunteer is changed into the regular soldier ; the 
citizen of yesterday becomes the veteran of to-day ; and 
the American arms are everywhere triumphant. 

The solid Mexican phalanx of twenty-two thousand 
men, armed and equipped for victory, have melted away 
before the steady fire of the artillery, and the deadly aim 
of the American rifle. When the last struggle for victory 
is made, and Santa Anna rallies his broken columns for a 
final charge ; when the American regiments occupying 
the advance yield to superior numbers and fall back in 
confusion on the reserves, and the day seems lost ; the 
commanding general hurries to the point where the battle 
is to be decided, orders the artillery to face about and 
unlimber, and gives the emphatic order, " A little more 
grape, Captain Bragg !" This saves the day. The Mex- 
ican columns now waver and halt. The curtains of night 
close down over the battle-field ; the wounded and the 
dying rest in their gory bed ; and the wearied officer and 
exhausted soldier sink together to repose. 

The importance of this victory to the American arms 
cannot be exaggerated. It secured the whole frontier of 
the Rio Grande, and struck terror and dismay into the 
hearts of the Mexican nation. It was, in fact, the first 
great turning point of the war. 



GENERAL TAYLOr's OFFICIAL REPORT. 125 

To the commander, General Taylor, the thanks of the 
country have been tendered in many ways for his signal 
ability, courage, and steadiness under circumstances so 
critical and trying. The general himself, with a magna- 
nimity and modesty equalled only by his merits, has 
expressed his obligations to those who acted under him, 
of all grades of service. To them he has said that the 
country owes much. Their patient endurance of fatigue 
and privation ; their cheerful submission to the rigorous 
discipHne of the camp; their noble bearing in the hour 
of danger ; their gallant conduct on the battle-field, gave 
to the army its efliciency and ensured its final triumph. 

The following is General Taylor's official Report : 



" HEAOaUARTERS, ArMY OF OCCUPATION, 

" Agua Nueva, March 6th, 1847. 

" To THE Hon. Secretary of War : 

" Sir : — I have the honor to submit a detailed report 
of the operations of the forces under my command, 
which resulted in the engagement of Buena Vista, the 
repulse of the Mexican army, and the reoccupation of 
this position. 

" The information which reached me of the advance 
and concentration of a heavy Mexican force in my front, 
had assumed such a probable form as to induce a special 
examination far beyond the reach of our pickets to ascer- 
tain its correctness. A small party of Texan spies, under 
Major McCullough, despatched to the hacienda of Encar- 
nacion, thirty miles from tliis, on the route to San Luis 
Potosi, had reported a cavalry force of unknown strength 
l2 



126 Taylor's official despatch. 

at that place. On the 20lh of February, a strong recon- 
noissance, under Lieutenant-colonel May, was despatched 
to the hacienda of Hecliondo, while Major McCullough 
made another examination of Encarnacion. The result 
of these expeditions left no doubt that the enemy was in 
large force at Encarnacion, under the orders of General 
Santa Anna, and that he meditated a forward movement 
and attack upon our position. 

" As the camp of Agua Nueva could be turned on 
either flank, and as the enemy's force was greatly supe- 
rior to our own, particularly in the arm of cavalry, I de- 
termined, after much consideration, to take up a position 
about eleven miles in rear, and there await the attack. 
The army broke up its camp and marched at noon on the 
21st, encamping at the new position a little in front of the 
hacienda of Buena Vista. With a small force I proceed- 
ed to Saltillo, to make some necessary arrangements for 
the defence of the town, leaving Brigadier-General Wool 
in the immediate command of the troops. 

" Before these arrangements were completed, on the 
morning of the 22d, I was advised that the enemy was iu 
sight, advancing. Upon reaching the ground it was found 
that his cavalry advance was in our front, having marched 
from Encarnacion, as we have since learned, at eleven 
o'clock the day previous, and driving in a mounted force 
left at Agua Nueva to cover the removal of public stores. 
Our troops were in position, occupying a line of remark- 
able strength. The road at this point becomes a narrow 
defile, the valley on its right being rendered quite imprac- 
ticable for artillery by a succession of deep and impassa- 
ble gullies, while on the left a succession of rugged ridges 
and precipitous ravines extends far back towards the mouii- 



Taylor's official despatch. 127 

tain which bounds the valley. The features of the grouna 
were such as nearly to paralyze the artillery and cavalry 
of the enemy, while his infantry could not derive all the 
advantage of its numerical superiority. In this position 
we prepared to receive him. Captain Washington's bat- 
tery (Fourth artillery) was posted to command the road, 
while the First and Second Illinois regiments, under 
Colonels Hardin and Bissell, each eight companies, (to 
the latter of which was attached Captain Conner's com- 
pany of Texas volunteers,) and the Second Kentucky, 
under Colonel McKee, occupied the crests of the ridges 
on the left and in rear. The Arkansas and Kentucky 
regiments of cavalry, commanded by Colonels Yell 
and H. Marshall, occupied the extreme left near the 
base of the mountain, while the Indiana brigade, under 
Brigadier-General Lane, (composed of the Second and 
Third regiments, under Colonels Bowles and Lane,) the 
Mississippi riflemen, under Colonel Davis, the squadrons 
of the First and Second dragoons, under Captain Steene 
and Lieutenant-colonel May, and the light batteries of 
Captains Sherman and Bragg, Third artillery, were held 
in reserve. 

" At eleven o'clock I received from General Santa An- 
na a summons to surrender at discretion, which, with a 
copy of my reply, I have already transmitted. The ene- 
my still forebore his attack, evidently waiting for the arri- 
val of his rear columns, which could be distinctly seen by 
our look-outs as they approached the field. A demonstra- 
tion made on his left caused me to detach the Second 
Kentucky regiment and a section of artillery to our right, 
in which position they bivouacked for the night. In the 
mean time the Mexican light troops had engaged ours on 



128 Taylor's official despatch. 

the extreme left, (composed of parts of the Kentucky and 
Arkansas cavalry dismounted, and a rifle battahon from the 
Indiana brigade under Major Gorman, the whole command- 
ed by Colonel Marshall,) and kept up a sharp fire, cHmbing 
the mountain side, and apparently endeavoring to gain our 
flank. Three pieces of Captain Washington's battery had 
been detached to the left, and were supported by the 
Second Indiana regiment. An occasional shell w^as thrown 
by the enemy into this part of our line, but without effect. 
The skirmishing of the hght troops was kept up with tri- 
fling loss on our part until dark, when I became convinced 
that no serious attack would be made before the morning, 
and returned, with the Mississippi regiment and squadron 
of Second dragoons, to Saltillo. The troops bivouacked 
without fires, and laid upon their arms. A body of cav- 
alry, some fifteen hundred strong, had been visible all day 
in rear of the town, having entered the valley through a 
narrow pass, east of the city. This cavalry, commanded 
by General Minon, had evidently been thrown in our rear 
to break up and harass our retreat, and perhaps make 
some attempt against the town, if practicable. The city 
was occupied by four excellent companies of Illinois vol- 
unteers, under Major Warren, of the First regiment. A 
field-work, which commanded most of the approaches, 
was garrisoned by Captain Webster's company. First 
artillery, and armed with two twenty-four pound how- 
itzers, while the train and head-quarter camp was guarded 
by two companies of Mississippi riflemen, under Captain 
Rogers, and a field-piece, commanded by Captain Shover, 
Third artillery. Having made these dispositions for the 
protection of the rear, I proceeded on the morning of the 
23d to Buena Vista, ordering forward all the other avail- 



Taylor's official despatch. 129 

able troops. The action had commenced before my arri- 
val on the field. 

" During the evening and night of the 22d, the enemv 
had thrown a body of light troops on the mountain side, 
with the purpose of oulflanking our left ; and it was 
here that the action of the 23d commenced at an early 
hour. Our riflemen, under Colonel Marshall, who had 
been reinforced by three companies under Major Trail, 
Second Illinois volunteers, maintained their ground hand- 
somely against a greatly superior force, holding themselves 
under cover, and using their weapons with deadly effect. 
About eight o'clock, a strong demonstration was made 
against the centre of our position, a heavy column moving , 
along the road. This force was soon dispersed by a few 
rapid and well-directed shots from Captain Washington's 
battery. In the mean time the enemy was concentrating 
a large force of infantry and cavalry under cover of the 
ridges, with the obvious intention of forcing our left, 
which was posted on an extensive plateau. The Second 
Indiana and Second Illinois regiments formed this part of 
our line, the former covering three pieces of light artil- 
lery, under the orders of Captain O'Brien — Brigadier- 
General Lane being in the immediate command. In 
order to bring his men within effective range, General 
Lane ordered the artillery and Second Indiana regiment 
forward. The artillery advanced within musket-range of 
a heavy body of Mexican infantry, and was served against 
it with great effect, but without being able to check its 
advance. The infantry ordered to its support had fallen 
back in disorder, being exposed, as well as the battery, 
not only to a severe fire of small-arms from the front, but 
also to a murderous cross-fire of grape and canister, from 

■J 



130 Taylor's official despatch. 

a Mexican battery on the left. Captain O'Brien found it 
impossible to retain his position without support, but was 
only able to withdraw two of his pieces, all the horses and 
cannoniers of the third piece being killed or disabled. 
The Second Indiana regiment, which had fallen back as 
stated, could not be rallied, and took no farther part in the 
action, except a handful of men, who, under its gallant 
colonel, Bowles, joined the Mississippi regiment, and did 
good service, and those fugitives who, at a later period in 
the day, assisted in defending the train and depot at Buena 
Vista. This portion of our line having given way, and the 
enemy appearing in overwhelming force against our left 
flank, the light troops which had rendered such good ser- 
vice on the mountain were compelled to withdraw, which 
they did, for the most part, in good order. Many, how- 
ever, were not rallied until they reached the depot at 
Buena Vista, to the defence of which they afterwards con- 
tributed. 

" Col. Bissell's regiment, (Second Illinois,) which had 
been joined by a section of Captain Sherman's battery, 
had become completely outflanked, and was compelled to 
fall back, being entirely unsupported. The enemy was 
now pouring masses of infantry and cavalry along the base 
of the mountain on our left, and was gaining our rear in 
great force. At this moment I arrived upon the field. 
The Mississippi regiment had been directed to the left 
before reaching the position, and immediately came into 
action against the Mexican infantry which had turned our 
flank. The Second Kentucky regiment, and a section 
of artillery under Captain Bragg, had previously been or- 
dered from the right to reinforce our left, and arrived at a 
most opportune moment. That regiment, and a portion 



Taylor's official despatch. 131 

of the First Illinois, under Colonel Hardin, gallantly drove 
the enemy, and recovered a portion of the ground w^e had 
lost. The batteries of Captains Sherman and Bragg were 
in position on the plateau, and did much execution, not 
only in front, but particularly upon the masses which had 
gained our rear. Discovering that the enemy was heavily 
pressing upon the Mississippi regiment, the Third In- 
diana regiment, under Colonel Lane, was despatched to 
strengthen that part of our line which formed a crotchet 
perpendicular to the first line of battle. At the same time 
Lieutenant Kilburn, with a piece of Captain Bragg's bat- 
tery, was directed to support the infantry there engaged. 
The action was for a long time warmly sustained at that 
point — the enemy making several efforts both with in- 
fantry and cavalry against our line, and being always re- 
pulsed with heavy loss. I had placed all the regular 
cavalry and Captain Pike's squadron of Arkansas horse 
under the orders of Brevet Lieutenant-colonel May, with 
directions to hold in check the enemy's column, still ad- 
vancing to the rear along the base of the mountain, which 
was done in conjunction with the Kentucky and Arkansas 
cavalry, iinder Colonels Marshall and Yell. 

" In the mean time our left, which was still strongly 
threatened by a superior force, was farther strengthened 
by the detachment of Captain Bragg's and a portion of 
Captain Sherman's batteries to that quarter. The con- 
centration of artillery-fire upon the masses of the enemy 
along the base of the mountain, and the determined resist- 
ance offered by the two regiments opposed to them, had 
created confusion in their ranks, and some of the corps 
attempted to effect a retreat upon their main line of battle. 
The squadron of the First dragoons, under Lieutenant 



132 Taylor's official despatch. 

Rucker, was now ordered up thedeep ravine which these 
retreating corps were endeavoring to cross, in order to 
charge and disperse them. The squadron proceeded to the 
point indicated, but could not accomphsh the object, being 
exposed to a heavy fire from a battery estabhshed to cover 
the retreat of those corps. While the squadron was de- 
tached on this service, a large body of the enemy was ob- 
served to concentrate on our extreme left, apparently with 
the view of making a descent upon the hacienda of Buena 
Vista, where our train and baggage were deposited. 
Lieutenant-colonel May was ordered to the support of 
that point, with two pieces of Captain Sherman's battery 
under Lieutenant Reynolds. In the mean time, the scat- 
tered forces near the hacienda, composed in part of Majors 
Trail and Gorman's commands, had been to some extent 
organized under the advice of Major Munroe, chief of ar- 
tillery, with the assistance of Major Morrison, volunteer 
staff, and were posted to defend the position. Before our 
cavalry had reached the hacienda, that of the enemy had 
made its attack ; having been handsomely met by the Ken- 
tucky and Arkansas cavalry under Colonels Marshall and 
Yell. The Mexican column immediately divided, one 
portion sweeping by the depot, where it received a de- 
structive fire from the force which had collected there, 
and then gaining the mountain opposite, under a fire from 
Lieutenant Reynolds' section, the remaining portion re- 
gaining the base of the mountain on our left. Li the 
charge at Buena Vista, Colonel Yell fell gallantly at the 
head of his regiment ; we also lost Adjutant Vaughan, of 
the Kentucky cavalry — a young officer of much promise. 
Lieutenant-colonel May, who had been rejoined by the 
squadron of the First dragoons and by portions of the 



Taylor's official despatch. 133 

Arkansas and Indiana troops, under Lieutenant-colonel 
Roane and Major Gorman, now approached the base of 
the mountain, holding in check the right flank of the ene- 
my, upon whose masses, crowded in the narrow gorges 
and ravines, our artillery was doing fearful execution. 

" The position of that portion of the Mexican army 
which had gained our rear was now very critical, and it 
seemed doubtful whether it could regain the main body. 
At this moment I received from General Santa Anna a 
message by a staff officer, desiring to know what I want- 
ed. I immediately despatched Brigadier-general Wool 
to the Mexican general-in-chief, and sent orders to cease 
firing. Upon reaching the Mexican lines, General Wool 
could not cause the enemy to cease their fire, and accord- 
ingly returned without having an interview. The extreme 
right of the enemy continued its retreat along the base of 
the mountain, and finally, in spite of all our efforts, effect- 
ed a junction with the remainder of the army. 

" During the day, the cavalry of General Minon had 
ascended the elevated plain above Saltillo, and occupied 
the road from the city to the field of battle, where they 
intercepted several of our men. Approaching the town, 
they were fired upon by Captain Webster, from the re- 
doubt occupied by his company, and then moved off to- 
wards the eastern side of the valley, and obliquely towards 
Buena Vista. At this time, Captain Shover moved rapid- 
ly forward with his piece, supported by a miscellaneous 
command of mounted volunteers, and fired several shots 
at the cavalry with great effect. They were driven into 
the ravines which lead to the lower valley, closely pursued 
by Captain Shuver, who was farther supported by a piece 
of Captain Webster's battery, under Lieutenant Donald- 

M 



134 Taylor's official despatch. ♦ 

son, which had advanced from the redoubt, supported by 
Captain Wheeler's company of Ilhnois volunteers. The 
enemy made one or two efforts to charge the artillery, but 
was finally driven back in a confused mass, and did not 
again appear upon the plain. 

" In the mean time, the firing had partially ceased upon 
the principal field. The enemy seemed to confine his 
efforts to the protection of his artillery, and I had left the 
plateau for a moment, when I was recalled thither by a 
very heavy musketry fire. On regaining that position, 1 
discovered that our infantry (Illinois and Second Ken- 
tucky) had engaged a greatly superior force of the ene- 
my — evidently his reserve — and that they had been over- 
whelmed by numbers. The moment was most critical. 
Captain O'Brien, with two pieces, had sustained this 
heavy charge to the last, and was finally obliged to leave 
his guns on the field — his infantry support being entirely 
routed. Captain Bragg, who had just arrived from the 
left, was ordered at once into battery. Without any in- 
fantry to support him, and at the imminent risk of losing 
his guns, this officer came rapidly into action, the Mexi- 
can line being but a few yards from the muzzle of his 
pieces. The first discharge of canister caused the enemy 
to hesitate ; the second and third drove him back in dis- 
order and saved the day. The Second Kentucky regi- 
ment, which had advanced beyond supporting distance in 
this affair, was driven back and closely pressed by the 
enemy's cavalry. Taking a ravine which led in the 
direction of Captain Washington's battery, their pursuers 
became exposed to his fire, which soon checked and drove 
them back with loss. In the mean time the rest of our 
artillery had taken position on the plateau, covered by the 



•'- ' '— 135 



TAYLORS OFFICIAL DESPATCH. 

Mississippi and Third Indiana regiments, the former of 
which had reached the ground in time to pour a fire into 
the right flank of the enemy, and thus contribute to his 
repulse. 

" In this last conflict we had the misfortune to sus- 
tain a very heavy loss. Colonel Hardin, First Illinois, 
and Colonel McKee and Lieutenant-colonel Clay, Second 
Kentucky regiment, fell at this time, while gallantly lead- 
ing their commands. 

" No farther attempt was made by the enemy to force 
our position, and the approach of night gave an opportu- 
nity to pay proper attention to the wounded, and also to 
refresh the soldiers, who had been exhausted by incessant 
watchfulness and combat. Though the night was severe- 
ly cold, the troops were compelled for the most to bivouac 
without fires, expecting that morning would renew the 
conflict. During the night the wounded were removed to 
8altillo, and every preparation made to receive the enemy, 
should he again attack our position. Seven fresh com- 
panies were drawn from the town, and Brigadier-general 
Marshall, with a reinforcement of Kentucky cavalry and 
four heavy guns, under Captain Prentiss, First artillery, 
was near at hand, when it was discovered that the enemy 
had abandoned his position during the night. Our scouts 
soon ascertained that he had fallen back upon Agua Nueva. 
The great disparity of numbers, and the exhaustion of our 
troops, rendered it inexpedient and hazardous to attempt 
pursuit. A stafl" ofiicer was despatched to General Santa 
Anna, to negotiate an exchange of prisoners, which was 
satisfactorily completed on the following day. Our own 
dead were collected and buried, and the Mexican wound- 
ed, of which a large number had been left upon the field, 



136 ' 



TAYLOR S OFFICIAL DESPATCH. 



were removed to Sal till o, and rendered as connfortable as 
circunastances would permit. 

" On the evening of the 26th, a close reconnoissance 
was made of the enemy's position, which was found to be 
occupied only by a small body of cavalry, the infantry and 
artillery having retreated in the direction of San Luis 
Potosi. On the 27th, our troops resumed their former 
camp at Agua Nueva, the enemy's rear-guard evacuating 
the place as we approached, leaving a considerable number 
of wounded. It was my purpose to beat up his quarters 
at Encarnacion early the next morning, but upon exami- 
nation, the weak condition of the cavalry horses rendered 
it unadvisable to attempt so long a march without water. 
A command was finally despatched to Encarnacion, on 
the 1st of March, under Colonel Belknap. Some two 
hundred wounded, and about sixty Mexican soldiers were 
found there, the army having passed on in the direction 
of Matehuala, with greatly reduced numbers, and suf- 
fering much from hunger. The dead and dying were 
strewed upon the road and crowded the buildings of the 
hacienda. 

" The American force engaged in the action of Buena 
Vista is shown, by the accompanying field report, to have 
been three hundred and thirty-four oflicers, and four thou- 
sand four hundred and twenty-five men, exclusive of the 
small command left in and near Saltillo. Of this number, 
two squadrons of cavalry and three batteries of light artil- 
lery, making not more than four hundred and fifty-three 
men, composed the only force of regular troops. The 
strength of the Mexican army is slated by General Santa 
Anna, in his summons, to be twenty thousand ; and that 
estimate is confirmed by all the information since obtained. 



Taylor's official despatch. 137 

Our loss is two hundred and sixty-seven killed, four hun- 
dred and fifty-six wounded, and twenty-three missing. Of 
the numerous wounded, many did not require removal to 
the hospital, and it is hoped that a comparatively small 
number will be permanently disabled. The Mexican loss 
in killed and wounded may be fairly estimated at one 
thousand and five hundred, and will probably reach two 
thousand. At least five hundred of their killed were left 
upon the field of battle. We have no means of ascertain- 
ing the number of deserters and dispersed men from their 
ranks, but it is known to be very great. 

" Our loss has been especially severe in ofiicers, twen- 
ty-eight having been killed upon the field. We have to 
lament the death of Captain George Lincoln, assistant 
adjutant-general, serving in the staff" of General Wool — a 
young officer of high bearing and approved gallantry, who 
fell early in the action. No loss falls more heavily upon 
the army in the field than that of Colonels Hardin and 
McKee, and Lieutenant-colonel Clay. Possessing in a 
remarkable degree the confidence of their commands, and 
the last two having enjoyed the advantage of a military 
education, I had looked particularly to them for support 
in case we met the enemy. I need not say that their zeal 
in engaging the enemy, and the cool and steadfast courage 
with which they maintained their positions during the 
day, fully realized my hopes, and caused me to feel yet 
more sensibly their untimely loss. 

" I perform a grateful duty in bringingto the notice of 
the government the general good conduct of the troops. 
Exposed for successive nights, without fires, to the se- 
verity of the weather, they v/ere very prompt and cheer- 
ful in the discharge of every duty ; and finally displayed 
m2 



138 Taylor's official despatch. 

conspicuous steadiness and gallantry in repulsing, at great 
odds, a disciplined foe,' While the brilliant success 
achieved by their arms releases me from the painful ne- 
cessity of specifying many cases of bad conduct before 
the enemy, I feel an increased obligation to mention par- 
ticular corps and officers, whose skill, coolness, and gal- 
lantry in trying situations, and under a continued and 
heavy fire, seem to merit particular notice. 

" To Brigadier-general Wool my obligations are espe- 
cially due. The high state of discipline and instruction 
of several of the volunteer regiments was attained under 
his command, and to his vigilance and arduous service 
before the action, and his gallantry and activity on the 
field, a large share of our success may justly be attribu- 
ted. During most of the engagement he was in immedi- 
ate command of the troops thrown back on ©ur left flank. 
I beg leave to recommend him to the favorable notice of 
the government. Brigadier-general Lane (slightly wound- 
ed) was active and zealous throughout the day, and dis- 
played great coolness and gallantry before the enemy. 

" The services of the light artillery, always conspicu- 
ous, were more than usually distinguished. Moving rap- 
idly over the roughest ground, it was always in action at 
the right place and the right time, and its well-directed 
fire dealt destruction in the masses of the enemy. While 
I recommend to particular favor the gallant conduct and 
valuable services of Major Munroe, chief of artillery, and 
Captains Washington, Fourth artillery, and Sherman and 
Bragg, Third artillery, commanding batteries, I deem it 
no more than just to mention all the subaltern officers. 
They were nearly all detached at different times, and 
in every situation exhibited conspicuous skill and gallantry. 



« 

TAYLOR'S OFFICIAL DESPATCH 



' 139 



Captain O'Brien, Lieutenants Brent, Whiting, and Couch, 
Fourth artillery, and Bryan, topographical engineers, 
(slightly wounded,) were attached to Captain Washing- 
ton's battery. Lieutenants Thomas, Reynolds, and 
French, Third artillery, (severely wounded,) to that of 
Captain Sherman ; and Captain Shover and Lieutenant 
Kilburn, Third artillery, to that of Captain Bragg. Cap- 
lain Shover, in conjunction with Lieutenant Donaldson, 
First artillery, rendered gallant and important service in 
repulsing the cavalry of General Minon. The regular 
cavalry, under Lieutenant-colonel May, with which was 
associated Captain Pike's squadron of Arkansas horse, 
rendered useful service in holding the enemy in check 
and in covering the batteries at several points. Captain 
Steene, First dragoons, was severely wounded early in 
the day, while gallantly endeavoring, with my authority, 
to rally the troops which were falling to the rear. 

" The Mississippi riflemen, under Colonel Davis, were 
highly conspicuous for their gallantry and steadiness, and 
sustained throughout the engagement the reputation of 
veteran troops. Brought into action against an immensely 
superior force, they maintained themselves for a long 
time unsupported and with heavy loss, and held an im- 
portant part of the field until reinforced. Colonel Davis, 
though severely wounded, remained in the saddle until 
the close of the action. His distinguished coolness and 
gallantry at the head of his regiment on this day, entitle 
him to the particular notice of the government. The 
Third Lidiana regiment, under Colonel Lane, and a frag- 
ment of the Second, under Colonel Bowles, were asso- 
ciated with the Mississippi regiment during the greater 
portion of the day, and acquitted themselves creditably 



140 Taylor's official despatch. 

in repulsing ihe attempts of the enenniy to break that por- 
tion of our Hne. The Kentucky cavalry, under Colonel 
Marshall, rendered good service dismounted, acting as 
light troops on our left, and afterwards, with a portion of 
the Arkansas regiment, in meeting and dispersing the 
column of cavalry at Buena Vista. The First and Sec- 
ond Illinois, and the Kentucky regiments, served immedi- 
ately under my eye, and I bear a willing testimony to their 
excellent conduct throughout the day. The spirit and 
gallantry with which the First Illinois and Second Ken- 
tucky engaged the enemy in the morning, restored confi- 
dence to that part of the field, while the list of casualties 
will show how much these three regiments suffered in 
sustaining the heavy charge of the enemy in the afternoon. 
Captain Conner's company of Texas volunteers, attached 
to the Second Illinois regiment, fought bravely, its cap- 
tain being wounded and two subalterns killed. Colonel 
Bissell, the only surviving colonel of these regiments, 
merits notice for his coolness and bravery on this occa- 
sion. After the fall of the field-officers of the First Illi- 
nois and Second Kentucky regiments, the command of 
the former devolved upon Lieutenatit-colonel Weather- 
ford ; that of the latter, upon Major Fry. 

" Regimental commanders and others who have ren- 
dered reports, speak in general terms of the good con- 
duct of their officers and men, and have specified many 
names, but the limits of this report forbid a recapitulation 
of them here. I may, however, mention Lieutenants 
Rucker and Campbell of the dragoons, and Captain Pike, 
Arkansas cavalry, commanding squadrons ; Lieutenant- 
colonel Field, Kentucky cavalry ; Lieutenant-colonel 
Roane, Arkansas cavalry, upon whom the command de- 



Taylor's official despatch. 141 

volved after the fall of Colonel Yell ; Major Bradford, 
Captain Sharpe, (severely wounded,) and Adjutant Grif- 
fith, Mississippi regiment ; Lieutenant-colonel Hadden, 
Second Indiana regiment, and Lieutenant Robinson, aid- 
de-camp to General Lane ; Lieutenant-colonel Weather- 
ford, First Illinois regiment ; Lieutenant-colonel Morrison, 
Major Trail, and Adjutant Whiteside, (severely wounded,) 
Second Illinois regiment ; and Major Fry, Second Ken- 
tucky regiment, as being favorably noticed for gallantry 
and good conduct. Major McCulloch, quartermaster in 
the volunteer service, rendered important services before 
the engagement, in the command of a spy company, and 
during the affair was associated with the regular cavalry. 
To Major Warren, First Illinois volunteers, I feel much 
indebted for his firm and judicious course, while exer- 
cising command in the city of Saltillo. 

" The medical staff, under the able direction of Assist- 
ant-surgeon Hitchcock, were assiduous in attention to the 
wounded on the field, and' in their careful removal to the 
rear. Both in these respects, and in the subsequent or- 
ganization and service of the hospitals, the administration 
of this department was every thing that could be wished. 

" Brigadier-general Wool speaks in high terms of the 
officers of his staff, and I take pleasure in mentioning 
them here, having witnessed their activity and zeal upon 
the field. Lieutenant and Aid-de-camp McDowell, Colo- 
nel Churchill, inspector-general. Captain Chapman, as- 
sistant-quartermaster. Lieutenant Sitgreaves, topograph- 
ical engineers, and Captains Howard and Davis, volun- 
teer service, are conspicuously noticed by the General for 
their gallantry and good conduct. Messrs. March, Ad- 
dicks, Potts, Harrison, Burgess, and Dusenbery, attached 



142 Taylor's official despatch. 

in various capacities to General Wool's headquarters, are 
likewise mentioned for their intelligent alacrity in convey- 
ing orders to all parts of the field. 

" In conclusion, I beg leave to speak of my own staff, 
to whose exertions in rallying troops and communicating 
orders I feel greatly indebted. Major Bliss, assistant- 
adjutant-general, Captain J, H. Eaton, and Lieutenant R. 
S. Garnett, aids-de-camp, served near my person, and 
were prompt and zealous in the discharge of every duty. 
Major Munroe, besides rendering valuable service as chief 
of artillery, was active and instrumental, as were also 
Colonels Churchill and Belknap, inspectors-general, in 
rallying troops and disposing them for the defence of the 
train and baggage. Colonel Whiting, quartermaster- 
general, and Captain Eaton, chief of the subsistence de- 
partment, were engaged with the duties of their depart- 
ments, and also served in my immediate staff on the field. 
Captain Sibley, assistant-quartermaster, was necessarily 
left with the headquarter camp near town, where his ser- 
vices were highly useful. Major Mansfield and Lieuten- 
ant Benham, engineers, and Captaiii Linnard and Lieu- 
tenants Pope and Franklin, topographical engineers, were 
employed before and during the engagement in making 
reconnoissances, and on the field were very active in bring- 
ing information and in conveying my orders to distant 
points. Lieutenant Kingsbury, in addition to his proper 
duties as ordnance officer, Captain Chilton, assistant- 
quartermaster, and Majors Dix and Coffee, served also as 
extra aids-de-camp, and were actively employed in the 
transmission of orders. Mr. Thomas L. Crittenden, of 
Kentucky, though not in service, volunteered as my aid- 
de-camp on this occasion, and served with credit in that 



SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. 143 

capacity. Major Craig, chief of ordnance, and Surgeon 
Craig, medical director, had been detached on duly from 
headquarters, and did not reach the ground until the morn- 
ing of the 24lh — too late to participate in the action, but 
in time to render useful services in their respective de- 
partments of the staff." 

In this battle the American arms acquired new glory, 
and the commanding general w^on imperishable laurels. 
His cool courage — his presence at every point where duty 
called him — his self-possession and apparent confidence 
in the final result, inspired a heroic ardor, and contributed 
largely to those daring and sustained efforts which finally 
turned back and overwhelmed the Mexican hosts. 

We here add Santa Anna's final report : 

" In my despatch from the battle-field of Angostura, 
dated the 23d, I promised to give you details of the ac 
tion of the 23d, so soon as I should effect the 'movement 
which our entire lack of water and of all supplies made 
indispensable. In those engagements the army and the 
nation have restored the lustre of their arms, by over- 
coming obstacles inconceivable to all save those who wit- 
nessed them. These arose, not only from the difficulties 
of this contest, and of our own situation, but also from 
the rigor of the season, and the exhaustion of the country 
along an almost desert route of over fifty leagues, that 
was destitute of good water, and of all save the most lim- 
ited supplies. 

" The supreme government was informed by commu- 
nications made before my leaving San Luis, that the army 
under my command would not commence its operations 
till the end of winter, as I knew by experience the severe 
climate of the region, which was also scant of habitations, 



144 SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. 

provisions, shelter, and even of fuel. I therefore resolved 
to go on organizing, drilling, arming, and clothing the 
army ; and, in a word, to put into a military shape the 
forces which had just been assembled. My intentions, 
however, could not be maturely realized. 

" The want of pecuniary resources embarrassed all my 
dispositions. The soldiers, though well disposed to com- 
bat with the enemy, had been badly supplied for a month, 
and would soon have been in want even of food, but that 
the exertions of the commanders of corps prevented that 
destitution from driving them from their ranks. While 
those meritorious men were suffering all kinds of priva- 
tion, certain writers, from ignorance, want of reflection, 
party spirit, or, perhaps, from mistaken patriotism, were 
zealously engaged in thwarting the plans which might 
otherwise have proved successful. This they did by unjust 
charges against the army and particular individuals, whom 
they abused for not marching to the conflict, accusing 
them of want of decision, and asserting that the position 
of the army at San Luis was more threatening to our lib- 
erties than to the enemy. In the clubs of that capital 
they labored with assiduity to make the army the instru- 
ment of a revolt ; but I frustrated their intrigues by time- 
ly steps. There was one writer who had the audacity to 
intimate that I was in collusion with the enemy. Yes, I, 
to whonii they may attribute errors, but whose whole pre- 
vious course has shown the most elevated patriotism ! 
Traitors are they, who seek not only to traduce me, but, 
by their detraction of the army, to unnerve its vigor for 
the service of the country. It seems as if a fatality di- 
rects the destinies of this nation, and interdicts a unanim- 
ity of the public will for its defence ; and from this fatal 



SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. 145 

blindness, the moment when every heart and every aspi' 
ration should be directed to one object, is the very junc 
tare when division and distrust are disseminated. Behold 
me, then, compelled by every circumstance to change my 
plans. Desertion had already commenced to a shameful 
extent ; and I was fully persuaded that if the scarcity 
should continue, the army would be dishonorably frittered 
away. I therefore resolved that, if annihilated, it should 
be with glory. Having no supplies, I, to obtain them, 
compromited my private fortune and the credit of myself 
and friends. All this procured me the sum of one hun- 
dred and eighty thousand dollars, with which I was able 
to furnish the needful supplies to the army for twelve 
days. I knew well the country we had to cross, and the 
necessity there would be for canying provisions ; and I 
sympathized in anticipation with the soldier for what he 
would endure from the rigor of the season ; but to render 
good service to the country, and save its honor, I had to 
overlook all this. 

" The army moved from San Luis by brigades, so as to 
render available the scanty resources aflforded by the 
country we were to cross. The force consisted of thir- 
teen thousand four hundred and thirty-two infantry, divi- 
ded into twenty-eight battalions ; four thousand three 
hundred and thirty-eight cavalry, in thirty-nine squadrons ; 
and a train of artillery of three twenty-four pounders, three 
sixteen-pounders, five twelve-pounders, five eight-pound- 
ers, and a seven-inch howitzer, all served by four hundred 
and thirteen artillerymen — the total being eighteen thou- 
sand one hundred and thirty-three men. Of this force there 
remained behind, the garrison of the works at San Luis, 
and others which I allotted to the towns on the route ; as 
N 10 



146 SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. 

also two squadrons to escort our small and only reserve 
of ammunition ; a brigade of infantry, of two battalions, 
under General Don Ciriaco Vasquez, which remained as 
a corps of reserve in Matehuala, and of observation upon 
Tula ; as also a brigade of cavalry, under General Don 
Jose Urrea. The latter was intended to pass Tula, and 
move through Tamaulipas to the neighborhood of Monte- 
rey, so as to call the enemy's attention to that quarter. 
The pomt of concentration for the brigades ought neces- 
sarily to be near this place, so that in the region through 
which they had to move, many troops might not be at 
once thrown together. I therefore fixed on the hacienda 
of Encarnacion for that point, it being, as I calculated, 
the last stage but one of my march. I there held a review 
of the army, which had already lost a thousand men by 
sickness and desertion. The former was caused by 
the scantiness and bad quality of food, and still more of 
water, which was brackish as well as scarce, as also by 
snow-storms and the exposure of the troops, who had al- 
ways to be in bivouac and without fuel. These snow- 
storms obliged me to suspend the march two days, till the 
weather became more settled ; for the cold had already 
caused the death of several men and horses, and I felt 
bound by every means to diminish the losses we were in- 
cnrring. These hardships will account for the number of 
desertions which occurred up to our arrival at Encarna- 
cion, and which afterwards even increased. It must also 
be remembered, that almost the whole army had been re- 
cently formed, and, as is well known, of men taken by vio- 
lence from their homes. 

" We had advices that the enemy were fortified in the 
hacienda of Agua Nueva, with six thousand men and 



SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. 147 

thirty pieces, resolved to defend the defiles known by the 
names of the passes of Canero and Agua Nueva. The 
Americans did not know the precise point on which our 
march was directed ; for, though they exchanged some 
shots with our advance in Encarnacion, and had frequent 
small skirmishes with us in the above passes, they sup- 
posed our troops to be scouting-parties of the first brigade 
of cavalry, under Don Jose V. Minon, whom I had ad- 
vanced as far as the hacienda of Potosi. These were the 
impressions when I made my dispositions. 

" It was my intention to place my forces between the 
enemy and Saltillo, so as to oblige him to fight under the 
disadvantage of having his communication cut off, or, if 
he would not leave his works, to enable me to besiege him 
in Agua Nueva. The plan might be carried out in three 
different ways. One was by marching twenty leagues by 
the direct road ; another by moving to the right by La 
Hedionda, so as to occupy Buena Vista ; and the third, 
by moving to the left by La Punta de Santa Elena, so as 
to occupy the hacienda of La Banqueria, and thereafter 
the road to Saltillo. The two last movements were at this 
time impracticable, for they would either of them require 
three or four days' march, while we were without provis- 
ions, forage, or water. I therefore resolved to operate 
by the direct road, force the positions, and, after passing 
the last defile, make a diversion by the left, and occupy 
the rancho of Encantada, with the view of obtaining 
water, none of which was to be had for more than eighteen 
leagues. All this was favored by the enemy's ignorance 
of our march ; but misfortune still followed us. A de- 
serter from the regiment of Coraceros, a native of Saltillo, 
named Francisco Valdes, passed over from Encarnacion 



148 SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. 

to the enemy, and gave him information of the movement. 
The execrable treason of this infamous wretch frustrated 
the best combinations. 

" On the 21st, at noon, I ordered the march to com- 
mence, the four h'ght battahons, under General Don Pe- 
dro Ampudia, forming the vanguard. I had not hesitated 
to allow that general, and other officers who had been 
court-martialed for the affair of Monterey, to participate 
in these operations, not only because I did not consider 
them culpable, but also on account of the zeal they mani- 
fested. This brigade was followed by one of artillery, of 
sixleen-pounders, with the regiments of engineers and 
their train, and those by the park of the regiment of hus- 
sars. Then came the First division, commanded by Gen- 
eral Don Manuel Lombardini, with four twelve-pounders 
and the park. The Second division, under General Don 
Francisco Pacheco, followed next, with four eight-pound- 
ers and their park ; after these the whole of the cavalry, 
under Don Julian Juvera ; and then the remainder of the 
general park and baggage, the rear being covered by a 
brigade of cavalry under General Don Manuel Andrade. 

" In this order of march the troops were ordered to 
make the first fourteen leagues, between Encenada and a 
plain called De la Guerra, which is in front of the first de- 
file called the Pass of the Pinones ; and to pass the night 
on that plain in the same order of column. The troops 
having eaten their rations, order was given for carrying 
water, as none could be met with till the day following, 
after having overcome the enemy at Agua Nueva, three 
leagues beyond the aforesaid pass. I, with my staff and 
the regiment of engineers, occupied the front, a little be- 
hind the light troops. On arriving at the plain De la 



SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. 149 

Guerra, I continued the march in order to pass the defile 
of Pinones, which was accomplished ; and I ordered the 
light brigade to take a position in the pass of Carnero, 
where it had a skirmish with an advance of the enemy. 
Under these dispositions we passed the night. 

" At dawn on the 22d the army continued its march, 
with the idea of carrying by force of arms the pass of 
Agua Nueva, which 1 supposed would be defended by the 
enemy ; but I found to my surprise that it had been aban- 
doned. I tlien concluded that the American forces had 
retired to their fortifications in the hacienda, to concen- 
trate their defence under cover of the intrenchments, 
which I had heard they had there thrown up. Under this 
idea I continued the march, in order to turn by the right 
to the rancho of Encantada, which, as I have before men 
tioned, is on the Saltillo road, being between that city and 
Agua Nueva, and four or five leagues from each. Till 
that time no one had appeared to give me information, 
nor did any one after, except a servant from Agua Nueva, 
who told me that the enemy had been evacuating his po- 
sition since the day previous, and falling back towards 
8altillo ; and that on that same morning, the hacienda 
had been wholly abandoned, by the retreat of a small 
detachment which escorted a large quantity of munitions. 
By this movement my first plans and dispositions, founded 
on an expected resistance, were rendered abortive ; but I 
still did not despair of a successful result, for I had in 
anticipation directed General Minon, with his cavalry 
brigade, twelve hundred strong, to occupy, on the morn- 
ing of the 22d, the hacienda of Buena Vista, distant three 
short leagues from Saltillo. This force might arrest the 
enemy's march, or, at least, make a diversion that would 
^2 



150 SANTA ANNA'S ACCOUNT. 

give time for the army to come up. I therefore continued 
my march, without losing more time than would allow the 
soldiers to drink water on the road. The light brigade 
came within sight of the enemy's rear-guard, and I order- 
ed them to charge in conjunction with the hussar regi- 
ment. I had reason to believe the enemy were making a 
precipitate retreat, as they left several articles on the road, 
such as carts, forge implements, extra wheels, and other 
things, which we gathered while marching. In conse- 
quence of the different reports I received, I ordered the 
cavalry to advance ; I thought we would be able to reach 
their rear-guard, and placed myself at the head of those 
troops. 

" On arriving at a place called Angostura, I found the 
main body of the enemy awaiting me in position. The 
road from the pass of Pinones to Saltillo runs between 
two chains of mountains, which form that pass and those 
of Carnero and Agua Nueva. The ridges open beyond 
the hacienda and approach each other again at Angostura, 
where the road turns to the right. At this place there is 
a succession of ridges, which run out towards the line of 
our route, and at right angles with it, and between them 
are ravines which form the drains of the mountains on the 
right. They are more or less passable, but all very diffi- 
cult. The enemy's position was in front and in rear of 
the road, his right and front being covered by ravines that 
were impassable, even for infantry, and a battery of four 
pieces being planted on the highest point. His battalions 
were formed on the heights with two other batteries, one 
of which was in a low part of the road, between two hills ; 
and, to my view, their forces appeared to be about eight 
thousand men, with twenty pieces ; but the prisoners taken 



SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. 151 

from them report twenty-six pieces, and upwards of eight 
thousand combatants. 

" I reconnoitred the position and situation of the ene- 
my, and ordered the director of engineers, General Don 
Ignacio de Mora y Villamil, to do the same. After ascer- 
taining the force of the invader, it was necessary either to 
await the infantry, to take position, or to fight, as might 
seem most advisable. At this interval, I observed that 
the enemy had neglected to occupy a height on his left 
flank ; and, without losing a moment, I ordered General 
Ampudia's light brigade to lake possession of, and hold it 
at every cost. As the brigade came up, I formed them 
in two lines on a rising ground that fronted the enemy, 
there being another eminence between our two positions : 
the first division of infantry was under the command «f 
General Lombardini, and the second under the command 
of General Pacheco. I directed that General Mora y 
Villamil, in conjunction with the commanding general of 
artillery, Don Antonio Corona, should find a position for 
a battery of sixteen-pounders, to be sustained by the regi- 
ment of engineers. Two other batteries, of twelve and 
eight-pounders, were located by me. The cavalry, com- 
manded by General Juvera, were placed on the right of 
our rear, and on our left flank. The regiment of hussars 
was also posted in the rear, and on the left flank aforesaid 
was a height which I ordered the battalion of Leon to oc- 
cupy. The general park was in the rear, covered by the 
brigade of General Andrade, and between this park and 
the lines of battle I took my own position. 

" The making of these dispositions, as may be sup- 
posed, occupied some time, for the troops arrived at their 
positions after a march of more than twenty leagues. It 



152 SANTA anna's account. 

was therefore not an hour for combat, and ihe army lay 
on its arms. The enemy, however, so soon as he per- 
ceived that we had occupied the height that flanked his 
left and our rigfit, despatched two battalions to dislodge 
us, which led to a warm engagement, that lasted all the 
afternoon and till after dark, when he was repulsed with a 
loss of four hundred men, according to the report of the 
prisoners. Ours was much less, as we had the advantage 
of the ground. 

" At dawn on the 23d I mounted my horse ; the enemy 
had not changed his previous dispositions, and was ready 
to receive us. I observed but one difference, which was, 
that on his right, and at some distance from his position, 
he had formed two bodies of infantry, with a battery of 
four pieces, as if with the intent of threatening our left 
flank ; but I at once believed this to be a mere demon- 
stration, for he would never have left in his rear the diffi- 
cult ground which gave strength to that position, being the 
web of impassable ravines before referred to. I, there- 
fore, gave no attention to this disposition of his forces, and 
resolved to move mine by the right. With this intention, 
I advanced the divisions of General Lombardini and Gen- 
eral Pacheco in that direction. I ordered General Don 
Manuel Micheltorena to plant the battery of eight-pound- 
ers on our right flank, so as to rake obliquely the enemy's 
line, and to remain with the staff, of which he was chief, 
and await my orders. I directed that General Ampudia, 
with the light brigade, should charge by our left flank on 
the enemy's right, and that General Mora y Villamil should 
form a column of attack composed of the regiment of en- 
gineers, the 12lh battalion, the Jijo de Mexico, and the 
ompanies of Puebia and Tampico, commanded by Colonel 



SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. 153 

Don Santiago Blanco. At the same time, I directed Gen- 
eral Corona, commanding the artillery, to place the bat- 
tery of twelve-pounders in a more commanding position, 
while the 3d division remained in reserve under Brevet 
General Don Jose Maria Ortega. 

" So soon as the enemy perceived our movements, he 
commenced the action at all points, attacked our troops 
with intrepidity, and maintained the conflict with great 
vigor. Our men received them with proper energy, dri- 
ving back and following up the assailants. At this time 
my horse was disabled by a grape-shot, and it was some 
time before I could mount another. As the enemy had 
yielded ground, I ordered the cavalry to advance and 
charge, which was done with vigor. Suitable orders had 
been sent to the generals of division and brigade, among 
the rest to General Don Angel Guzman ; but, though the 
officers and troops acted with great resolution, it was im- 
possible to overcome the difficulties of the ground ; and 
after a struggle which did them honor, they were obliged 
to fall back to their positions. After various alternations, 
the same occurred with the infantry. 

" The battle, which commenced at seven in the morn- 
ing, was prolonged for many hours, our loss every moment 
accumulating. Many officers and soldiers had already 
been killed, and a number of commanders and distin- 
guished officers wounded, among whom were General 
Lombardini, Lieutenant-colonels Brito, Galloso,and others. 
Among the slain were Lieutenant-colonels Asonos, Berra, 
and other meritorious officers, whose loss the country 
will ever lament. The enemy maintained his ground 
with the utmost obstinacy, insomuch that some of our 
troops faltered in their attacks, and many of the raw re- 



154 SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. 

emits dispersed. This, however, ought to exalt the merit 
of those whose intrepidity was never paralyzed, and may 
also be cited to show how hotly contested was the action. 
" Things were in this situation when I concluded to 
make the final effort. With this view I ordered that a 
battery of twenty-four pounders should be mounted ; that 
the column of attack then posted on our left flank, where 
it had no object of operation, should be transferred to our 
right, and there be joined by the remains of the Eleventh 
regiment, the battalion of Leon, and the reserves, all under 
the command of Brevet-General Don Francisco Perez. I 
executed this in person, and afterwards sent for General 
Mora y Villamil, and made him acquainted with my final 
disposition. I had already directed Generals Perez and 
Pacheco, each with his command, to be prepared for an 
extreme struggle, and had ordered the battery of eight- 
pounders to advance and take the enemy's line in flank. 
The charge was made with daring valor, and was resisted 
with animated vigor, with a fire so heavy and rapid as to 
cause admiration ; but the Americans could not sustain 
themselves — they were driven back and overcome, with 
the loss of three pieces of cannon and as many stands of 
colors. I sent two of the latter to the government with 
my last despatch ; the other, which I then omitted to no- 
tice, will be presented to the honorable congress of the 
State of San Luis Potosi, as a testimonial of the army's 
gratitude for the patriotic services they had rendered, and 
the generous sacrifices they had made for its benefit. We 
moreover captured a travelling forge, and some smaller 
articles, which I will not enumerate. Our cavalry, which 
so bravely executed the order to charge, reached the en 
emy's rearmost positions ; but, owing to the nature of the 



SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. 155 

ground and the fatigue of the men and horses, I did not 
think it prudent to attempt to dislodge them from those. 
The battle closed at six in the evening, our troops being 
then formed on the ground which the Americans had oc- 
cupied. Our last effort would have been decisive, if Gen- 
eral Minon had done his part by attacking the enemy in 
the rear ; but he omitted to do it, and I am under the 
painful necessity of subjecting his conduct to a court 
martial, that he may explain it. An action thus contested 
necessarily involved considerable loss. Ours in killed 
and wounded amounted to more than fifteen hundred 
men, and that of the enemy was much greater, for we 
had time to take a view of the great number of their 
dead. 

" The plans of these two actions, and of the route from 
Agua Nueva to Saltillo, and the reports of the generals of 
the division and brigade, which I send with this to your 
excellency, will give the supreme government an idea of 
such details as I have not dwelt on, without making this 
report more diffuse ; but this will still serve to attest the 
bravery of our troops, and the glory acquired by the na- 
tion during these days of action. 

" In the order of the day, I expressed, as in duty bound, 
my satisfaction with the conduct of the officers, command- 
ers of corps, and generals, and gave them thanks for it 
in the name of the republic. I could wish to announce 
in this report the names of many commanding officers, 
that their memory may be engraved on the gratitude of the 
nation, not only for their resolute and honorable deport- 
ment in both actions, but for the constancy with which 
they have overcome so many privations, sufferings, and 
fatigues, and given therein an example both of civic and 



156 SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. 

military worth. Anxious to do this justice, I adopt as my 
own the authorship of those eulogies which the generals 
of brigade and division have bestowed on their subordi- 
nates. I would, moreover, place in view of the govern- 
ment, the merit manifested by the director-general of en- 
gineers, Don Ignacio Mora y Villamil, who fulfilled, to 
my entire satisfaction, all the duties I assigned to him, for 
which I consider him worthy of the highest praise, and of 
such remuneration as the supreme government may be 
pleased to award to his distinguished services. General 
Ampudia, to whom, from the favorable opinion which I 
had of him, I intrusted the command of the four light 
battalions, acquitted himself with gallantry. General 
Lombardini, who commanded the First division of in- 
fantry, conducted himself with valor, and was wounded. 
General Pacheco, commanding the Second division of 
infantry, came up to my orders and his duties, and fought 
to my satisfaction. General Juvera comported himself 
honorably, and had his horse killed under him. Brevet- 
General Torrejon received a contusion, and General Guz- 
man displayed the gallantry for which he was already 
distinguished, and was wounded. Brevet-General Mi- 
chellorena, as head of the staff, duly performed all that 
belonged to his station ; and I also confided to his special 
charge the battery of eight-pounders, which was the most 
in advance. General Perez acted as might be expected 
from his accustomed gallantry, and for this I intrusted to 
his command the troops I have before mentioned, with 
which he contributed to disorder the line of the enemy at 
five in the evening. I would also commend General Or- 
tega, who commanded the Third division of foot, and 
performed his duties to my satisfaction, as also Brevet- 



SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. 157 

general Uraga, and Generals Parrodi, Portilla, Vasquez, 
Jauregui, Terres, and Sanchez. 

" It is entirely due to the commanding general of artil 
lery, Don Antonio Corona, that I should commend him 
for carrying out my dispositions, as might be expected 
from him, and for laboring assiduously at San Luis, in 
the heaviest duties of his branch of service ; and it is 
a pleasing duty for me to laud the merit acquired by 
Colonel Banencli, and Colonel Brito, who was wounded ; 
Colonel Aldrade, of the hussars, who, to my satisfaction, 
evinced his usual bravery ; Colonel S. Blanco, who com- 
manded a column of attack on the left, and acted well, 
and Colonel M. Blanco— both of the last being of the en- 
gineers—as also Colonel Obando, of the flying artillery, 
and Colonel Garay. 

" The report of the killed and wounded, which I also 
send, will show what has been our loss. I should be 
lacking in justice, and not express my own feelings, were 
I not most earnestly to request that attention be paid, as 
is by law provided, to the cases of the widows, orphans, 
and such of the wounded as may be permanently dis- 
abled. 

" The formidable position which the enemy occupied, 
was all that saved him; the victory would otherwise 
have been decisive, notwithstanding his obstinate resist- 
ance. Still this triumph will have favorable results to the 
national cause, as it will show to every one what can be 
accomplished when all hearts are united, and with one 

aim. 

" The army has done more than could be expected un- 
der the laws of nature. It had just been formed, and as 
yet had not acquired discipline or military habits ; yet in 
o 



158 SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. 

marching to the combat, it overcame difficulties which 
might have subdued the stoutest heart. After a march 
of twenty leagues, sixteen of them without water, and 
without other food than a single ration, which was dealt 
out at Encarnacion, it endured the fatigue of combat for 
two days, and finally triumphed. With all this, its physi- 
cal powers were exhausted. My knowledge of this, and 
the duty I felt in attending to such a number of wounded, 
constrained me, after remaining a few hours on the field 
of battle, to fall back upon Agua Nueva, for the relief and 
refreshment of the troops. 

" From the impression we had made on the enemy, 
he did not appear before us for three days. The bearer 
of a flag of truce, however, arrived with a proposition 
from General Taylor for an exchange of prisoners, and 
for our sending for the wounded who had remained on 
the field. He also expressed to me the desire which 
the Americans felt for the re-establisTiment of peace. I 
replied, in ord-er that he might say the same to his gen- 
eral, that we sustained the most sacred of causes — the 
defence of our territory, and the preservation of our na- 
tionality and rights ; that we were not the aggressors, 
and that our government had never offended that of the 
United States. / observed, that we could say nothing of 
peace while the Americans were on this side of the Bravo, 
or occupied, any part of the Mexican territory, or block- 
aded our ports ; and that we were resolved to perish or 
vindicate our rights ; that fortune might not be always 
favorable to the enemy, and their experience of the 22d 
and 23d should convince them that it could change ; I 
added, that the Americans waged against us a war of 
vandalism, whose excesses outraged those sentiments of 



SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. 159 

humanity which one civilized nation ought to evince to- 
wards another ; and that if he would go outside of the 
apartment he would still see smoking, which was the fact, 
the dwellings of Agua Nueva, recently a flourishing, 
though a small settlement ; that the same vestiges of 
desolation marked the route of his retreat ; and that if he 
would go a little farther on, to Catana, he would hear the 
moans of the widows and orphans of innocent victims 
who had been sacrificed without necessity. 

" With respect to the wounded, whom I was invited 
to send for, I replied that there could be none save those 
who had been too much hurt to rise from the field, or 
those most in the advance, who had remained in the 
ravines ; and that as I had not means for their convey- 
ance, the enemy might take them to Saltillo, under the 
protection of the laws of nations. As for the prisoners 
which he offered to exchange, I told him I did not know 
who they could be, unless it were some of our dispersed 
troops, or some who, from the fatigue of the two pre- 
vious days, had remained asleep when we moved. In 
answer to the courtesy the enemy's general had shown 
with respect to our wounded, I consented, in the name of 
the nation, to release all the prisoners we had — those 
taken both in the battle and at Encarnacion. At the same 
time I allowed the bearer of the flag, who was a superior 
ofiicer, of prepossessing appearance and manners, to take 
the bandage from his eyes, and informed him that it was 
for him personally that the honor of this concession was 
meant. I did it also that he might see our camp and our 
troops. 

" As I have said in the preceding paragraph, we re- 
mained at the hacienda three days ; but the only supply 



160 SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. 

we could obtain was ninety beeves, and these were con- 
sumed on the 25lh. The horses were also without for- 
age, and notwithstanding all the efforts or provisions that 
I could make, many of the wounded had been but once 
attended to, and some not at all. From the rigor of the 
climate, the badness and scantiness of the sustenance, the 
entire want of bread, and the bad quality of the water 
used in our former bivouacs, a bowel complaint had bro- 
ken out in the army, and rendered ineffective at least 
one-half of it. I knew that a retrograde movement to our 
former positions had become inevitable ; but though every 
thing around me proclaimed this necessity, my feelings 
revolted against it, solely because I foresaw that from ig- 
norance, malice, or presumption, the countermarch would 
be condemned, and that those who did not witness our 
situation would imagine the possibility of the army's con- 
tinuing its operations. 

" Six days before, when the troops had not suffered so 
much, nor fought for two successive days, nor been em- 
barrassed with sick and wounded, but were still sound in 
morale and in health, I had not deemed it prudent to 
augment the labors and difficulties of the army by moving 
to the right or to the left ; how then would it have been 
possible to go on operating after all that subsequently 
occurred ? But let detractors say what they will, the 
army as Well as myself will always answer by an appeal 
to our conduct, our wishes, and the notorious impossibil- 
ity of carrying them out. Notwithstanding my conviction, 
I wished to hear the opinion of the generals and some of 
the commanders of corps, and to ascertain if they could 
point out any resource which had not occurred to me. 
Without disclosing my own ideas on the subject I life- 



SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. 161 

tened to theirs, and they all unanimously, and each one by 
his opinion separately expressed, showed and demon- 
strated in various ways, that however good their will to 
remain, the countermarch of the army had become in- 
dispensable, but that this necessity was not forced upon 
us by the enemy. It was not till I had heard their 
opinions that I announced my own accordant resolution, 
and the proceedings of the council being drawn up, I 
had the honor of remitting them to your excellency on 
the 25th. ^ 

" On the 26th, after I had ordered General Minon to 
follow the movement, the army commenced its retreat 
with the view of occupying the first peopled localities, 
where resources might be obtained, such as Vanegas 
Catorce, El Cadral, and Matehuala, as also Tula ; but I 
doubt if in those places proper attention can be given to 
the sick and wounded — or the losses we have sustained 
in those laborious movements be remedied. 

" The nation, for which a triumph has been gained 
at the cost of so many sufferings, will learn that, if we 
were able to conquer in the midst of so many embar- 
rassments, there will be no doubt as to our final success 
in the struggle we sustain, if every spirit but rallies to 
the one sacred object of common defence. A mere de- 
termined number of men will not, as many imagine, suf- 
fice for the prosecution of war : it is indispensable that 
they be armed, equipped, disciplined, and habituated, and 
that a systematized support for such an organized force 
be provided. We must bear in mind that we have to 
combat in a region deficient of all resources, and that 
every thing for subsistence has to be carried along with 
the soldiery : the good-will of a few will not suffice, but 
o2 11 



162 SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. 

the co-operation of all is needed ; and if we do not cast 
aside selfish interests, and petty passions, we can expect 
nothing but disaster. The army, and myself who have 
led it, have the satisfaction of knowing that we have de- 
monstrated this truth." 



ARMY ADVANCES TO LOBOS. ]03 



CHAPTER IX. 

Advance of the Army to Lobos ; thence to Antonio Lizardo. — Siege and 
Capture of Vera Cruz. — Official Despatches. — March to the Interior. — 
Battle of Cerro Gordo. — Official Despatches. — Capture of Puebla. 

General Scott having been joined by the troops from 
the Upper Rio Grande, halted for a few days at the mouth 
of the river. Every thing being in readiness, they were 
taken on board transports, and proceeded to join others 
who had made their rendezvous at the island of Lobos, 
about 125 miles north and west of the city of Vera Cruz. 
The troops being thus collected, the whole armament pro- 
ceeded to Antonio Lizardo, 

On the morning of the 7th of March, General Scott, in 
a steamer, with Commodore Connor, reconnoitred the 
city, for the purpose of selecting the best landing-place 
for the army. The spot selected was the shore west of 
the island of Sacrificios. The anchorage was too narrow 
for a large number of vessels, and on the morning of the 
9th of March the troops were removed from the transports 
to the ships of war. The fleet then set sail — General 
Scott in the steamship Massachusetts, leading the van. 
As he passed through the squadron, his tall form, con- 
spicuous on the deck, attracted the eyes of soldier and 
of sailor ; a cheer burst spontaneously forth, and from ves- 
sel to vessel was echoed, and answered through the line. 
The voices of veterans, and of new recruits — of those 
who had been victorious at Monterey, and of those who 



164 TROOPS LAND AT SACRIFICIOS. 

hoped for victories in the future — were mingled in loud 
acclamation for him, whose character inspired confidence, 
and whose actions were already embodied in the glorious 
history of their country ! 

Near Sacrificios the landing commenced. It must be 
observed at this point, that every man expected to be met 
at the landing; for such, in military judgment, should 
have been tlie course of the enemy, and such would have 
been the case had the landing been made at the point 
where the enemy expected it, and where his forces were 
collected. Preparations were therefore made for any pos- 
sible contingency. Two steamers and five gunboats, ar- 
ranged in line, covered the landing. Five thousand five 
hundred troops embarked in sixty-seven surf-boats. The 
signal-gun was fired. The seamen bent to their oars, and 
ill a magnificent semicircle the boats swept rapidly to- 
wards the beach. Every man is anxious to be first. They 
plunge into the water before they reach the shore ! they 
rush through the sand-hills ! and with loud shouts they 
press forward ! They wave the flag of their country in 
the land of the Aztecs ! Where are their comrades ? They 
also soon embark — they hurry through the water — they 
land in safety — they rejoin their companions — they return 
shout for shout, to friends in the vessels and friends on 
shore. Safely, but hurriedly, they then pass through this 
exciting crisis. 

In the meanwhile, the sun shines down in the brilliance 
of his light, the waters are but just ruffled by a breeze, 
while the deep waves are calm and the sky serene. Full 
in view lies the city of Vera Cruz, and near is the re- 
nowned castle of San Juan d'Ulloa ! The harbor is crowd- 
ed with foreign vessels, and decks and rigging are filled 



REFLECTIONS ON THE LANDING. 165 

with wondering spectators ! Never, says one, shall I for- 
get the excitement of that scene ! 

The first division of troops had landed a little before 
sunset, the second and third followed in succession, and 
before ten o'clock the whole army (numbering twelve 
thousand men) was landed, without the slightest accident 
and without the loss of a single life ! 

Thus, at the distance of more than three hundred years, 
was renewed the landing and march of Cortez ! Both 
were brilliant, and remarkable in history and conduct. 
The Spanish hero came to encounter and subdue, on un- 
known shores, the Aztectic-American civilization. The 
Anglo-American came to meet and prevail against the 
Spanish-Aztec combination. Both came with inferior 
numbers, to illustrate the higher order and vastly superior 
energies of moral power. Both came agents controlled 
by an invisible spirit, in carrying forward the drama of 
Divine Providence on earth. In vain do we speculate as 
to the end ; it will be revealed only when the last curtain 
is drawn from the deep, mysterious Future. 

The landing at Vera Cruz, as a military operation, de- 
serves a credit which is seldom awarded to bloodless 
achievements. It is common to measure military opera- 
tions by the current of blood which has flowed. But 
why ? Is he not the best general who accomplishes the 
greatest results with the least loss ? Or must we adopt 
the savage theory, that the greatest inhumanity is the 
greatest heroism ? Mere animal bravery is a common 
quality. Why, then, should the exhibition of so common 
a quality, in an open battle, give distinction, when it is 
skill only that is valuable, and science only that is un- 
common? This skill and science were exhibited in a 







2lf 
2? 



33 ■^^-- 



CASTLE 

'J'-' -OF — 

SAN J^d'ULLOA 







38 



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21/s 



i 

LavandeTa- SIioelLE 

33 _^^tC3*? 



mt 




OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 167 

most, singular and felicitous manner, in the pre-arrano-e- 
ments, combinations, and success, which attended the 
landing of the American army under the walls of Vera 
Cruz. 

Of this landing, as compared with a similar one by the 
French at Algiers, the New Orleans Bulletin, of March 
27th, makes the following correct and interesting re- 
marks : 

" The landing of the American army at Vera Cruz has 
been accomplished in a manner that reflects the highest 
credit on all concerned, and the regularity, precision, and 
promptness with which it was effected, has probably not 
been surpassed, if it has been equalled in modern war- 
fare. 

" The removal of a large body of troops from numer- 
ous transports into boats in an open sea— their subsequent 
disembarkation on the sea-beach, on an enemy's coast, 
through a surf, with all their arms and accoutrements, 
without a single error or accident, requires great exertion, 
skill, and sound judgment. 

"The French expedition against Algiers, in 1830, was 
said to be the most complete armament in every respect 
that ever left Europe ; it had been prepared with labor, 
attention, and experience, and nothing had been omitted 
to ensure success, and particularly in the means and 
facilities for landing the troops. This disembarkation 
took place in a wide bay, which was more favorable than 
an open beach directly on the ocean, and (as in the pres- 
ent instance) without any resistance on the part of the 
enemy — yet, only nine thousand men were landed the 
first day, and from thirty to forty lives were lost by acci- 
dents, or upsetting of boats ; whereas, on the present oc- 



168 VERA CRUZ INVESTED. 

casion, twelve thousand men were landed in one day, 
without, so far as we have heard, the slightest accident or 
the loss of a single life." 

No troops of the enemy made direct opposition to the 
American army on reaching the beach, but the guns of 
the castle and city kept up a constant firing with round- 
shot and thirteen-inch shells. The several corps imme- 
diately occupied the lines of investment to which they 
had been respectively assigned by General Scott's orders.^ 
These orders pointed out the most minute particulars, and 
were based on prior information, obtained by the engi- 
neer and topographical departments, and carefully ana- 
lyzed and thoroughly studied, by the commander-in-chief. 
This information was so accurate, and so well understood 
by the commander, the engineers, and the chief of the 
staff, that they made no mistakes. They found all as 
they anticipated : their arrangements resulted as they in- 
tended, and the regiments and companies took their re- 
spective places as quietly and orderly as if they were 
parading on the green banks of the Potomac ! Parties of 
the enemy appeared, and skirmishes took place, but noth- 
ing seriously interrupted the progress of investment. On 
the 12th instant, the entire army had completely occupied 
its positions.^ 

All this was not done without labor, fatigue, and expo- 
sure of the severest kind. The carts, horses, and mules, 
except a very few,"* had not yet arrived. Innumerable 



* General Orders, No. 47. 

» General Scott's Official Report, dated 12th of March, 1847. 
' There had then arrived but fifteen carts and one hundred draught- 
horses. 



SIEGE CARRIED ON. 169 

hills of loose sand, and almost impassable thickets of chap- 
paral, covered the ground of operations. Through these, 
by their own hands, and on their backs, soldiers, both 
regular and volunteer, dragged their provisions, their 
equipments, and munitions of war, under the rays of a sun 
already hot in a tropical climate. The sands of this pecu- 
liar region are so light, that during the existence of a 
" norther," (a so-called wind of the Gulf,) if a man would 
lie down for an hour or two, he would inevitably be buried 
in the floating drifts ! He m.ust therefore, at this season, 
seek shelter in chapparals. In such circumstances — un- 
der the distant fire of the enemy's fortresses, and in the 
midst of sharp skirmishes — the investment was completed. 
The lines of siege were five miles in length, and on that 
whole distance provisions must be carried and commu- 
nications kept up with depots, and with ships at sea. In 
this the officers and seamen of the navy co-operated with 
those of the army in the most gallant and skilful manner. 

During this part of the siege a " norther" prevailed, 
which rendered it impossible to land heavy ordnance. On 
the 17th a pause occurred in the storm, and ten mortars, 
four twenty-four-pound guns, and some howitzers were 
landed. On the night of the 18th the trenches were 
opened, and, the engineers with the sappers and miners 
leading the way, the army gradually closed in nearer the 
city. 

On the 22d of March — seven of the ten-inch mortars 
being in battery, and other works in progress — General 
Scott summoned the governor of Vera Cruz to surrender 
the city. The governor, who was also governor of the 
castle, chose to consider the summons to surrender that, 
as well as the city, and rejected the proposition. On the 
p 



170 A TRUCE ASKED FOR. 

return of the flag, the mortar-battery, at the distance of 
eight hundred yards from the city, opened its fire on the 
city, and continued to fire during the day and night. 

On the 24th the batteries were reinforced with twenty- 
four-pounders and paixhan guns. On the 25th all the 
batteries were in " awful activity." Terrible was the 
scene ! The darkness of night was illuminated with 
blazing shells circling through the air. The roar of artil- 
lery and the heavy fall of descending shot were heard 
through the streets of the besieged city. The roofs of 
buildings were on fire. The domes of churches rever- 
berated with fearful explosions. The sea was reddened 
with the broadsides of ships. The castle of San Juan 
returned, from its heavy batteries, the fire, the light, the 
smoke, the noise of battle. Such was the sublime and 
awfully terrible scene, as beheld from the trenches of the 
army, from the 22d to the 25th of March, when the accu- 
mulated science of ages, applied to the military art, had, 
on the plains of Vera Cruz, aggregated and displayed the 
fulness of its destructive power. 

On the evening of the 25th instant, the consuls of Eu- 
ropean powers residing in Vera Cruz, made application, 
by memorial, to General Scott for a truce, to enable them 
and the women and children of the city to retire. To 
this General Scott replied — that a tt-uce could only be 
granted on application of General Morales, the governor, 
with a view to surrender;* that safeguards had already 
been sent to the foreign consuls, of which they had refu- 
sed to avail themselves ; that the blockade had been left 
open to consuls and neutrals to the 22d proximo; and 



' Scott's Official Report of March 25, 1847. 



OVERTURES FOR SURRENDER. 171 

that the case of women and cliildren, with their hardships 
and distresses, had been fully considered before one gun 
was fired. 

The memorial represented that the batteries had already 
a terrible effect on the city — and by this, and other evi- 
dence, it was now clear that a crisis had arrived. The 
city must either be surrendered, or it must be consigned 
to inevitable and most melancholy destruction. 

Accordingly, early on the morning of the 26th of March, 
General Landero, on whom the command had been de- 
volved by General Morales, made overtures of surrender. 
Arrangements had been made by Scott for carrying the 
city by assault on that very day. The proposition of the 
Mexican general made this unnecessary, and Generals 
Worth and Pillow, with Colonel Totten, that distinguished 
officer of the engineer corps, who had conducted the siege, 
were appointed commissioners on the part of the Ameri- 
can army, to treat with others appointed by the governor 
of Vera Cruz. Late on the night of the 27th the articles 
of capitulation were signed and exchanged. 

On the 29lh of March the official despatch of General 
Scott announced that the flag of the United States floated 
over the walls of Vera Cruz and the castle of San Juan 
d'Ulloa. The regular siege of the city had continued 
from the day of investment, the 12th of March, to the day 
the articles of capitulation were signed, the 27th, making 
a period o^ fifteen days, in which active, continuous, and 
vigorous operations were carried on. During this time 
our army had thrown three thousand ten-inch shells, two 
hundred howitzer shells, one thousand paixhan shot, and 
two thousand five hundred round-shot, weighing on the 
whole about half a million of pounds ! Most effective 



172 CITY AND CASTLE SURRENDER. 

and most terrible was the disaster and destruction they 
caused within the walls of the city, whose ruins and whose 
mourning attested both the energy and the sadness of war. 

By some it was thought strange that the governor of 
Vera Cruz should have surrendered so soon ; but, oa a 
full exhibition of the facts of the siege, surprise gives 
place to admiration at the progress, power, and develop- 
ment of military science. The thirty years which had 
elapsed since the fall of Napoleon, had not been idly 
passed by military men. They had acquired and sys- 
tematized new arts and new methods in the art of war. 
Nor were American officers inattentive to this progress. 
They had shared in it all, and when the siege of Vera 
Cruz was undertaken, this new power and method were 
fully displayed. The city was environed with cords of 
strength, in which all its defences must be folded and 
crushed. The result was inevitable. The officers of 
Vera Cruz saw this, and although the castle of San Juan 
might have held out a few days longer, for what purpose 
would it have been ? There is no rule of military science 
which requires fighting when fighting is useless. There 
is no law of humanity which would not be violated by the 
wanton exposure of towns and inhabitants when defence 
was impossible. The surrender was, therefore, alike just 
to victors and defenders, both of whom had arrived at an 
inevitable end, — the result of progress in high civilization, 
and of the highest military skill and accomplishments. 

By the terms of capitulation, all the arms and munitions 
of war were given up to the United Stales ; five thousand 
prisoners surrendered on parole ; near five hundred pieces 
of fine artillery were taken ; the best port of Mexico cap- 
lured and possessed ; and the famed castle of San Juan, 



REFLECTIONS ON THE EVENT. 173 

said to be impregnable, and which had been refitted and 
equipped in the best possible manner, yielded its defences 
to the .superior skill and energy of the Anglo-Americans. 
At 10 A. M., on the morning of the 29th, that people, who 
centuries before had, with a small band, marched through 
the Aztec empire, and, with the pride of power, supplant- 
ed its ancient dominion, struck their flags and quietly sub- 
mitted to another and a newer race, who had come over 
the Atlantic later than themselves, but who had imbibed 
other principles, and been impelled by stronger energies, 
in the colder regions of the north. On the castle of San 
Juan, on the forts of Santiago and Conception, the banner 
of the American Union gracefully ascended, and, amidst 
the shouts and cheers of warriors on sea and shore, bent its 
folds to the breeze, and looked forth over the Mexican Gulf 
In this great and successful enterprise, the American 
arms met with but little loss. Two officers,^ (valuable, 
however, to their corps and country,) with a few soldiers, 
were all the deaths. So great a result, obtained with so 
little loss, may be sought in vain among the best cam- 
paigns of the best generals of modern times. There are 
those who think victory brightest when achieved in the 
carnival of death, and the laurel greenest which is plucked 
from a crimson tree. But this is not the estimate of the 
humane, the honorable, or the intelligent. They, in this 
age of the world, will deem that achievement greatest 
which costs the least, where skill has been substituted for 
death, and science for the brave but often wasted energy 
of bodily force. 



' Captains Alburtis and Viutoii, both distinguished officers, were killed, 
with several private soldiers. 

p2 



174 GEN. scott's despatches. 

Some incidents of this siege are related, which illus- 
trate the character of General Scott and the nature of the 
war. On one occasion, when the general was walking 
along the trenches, the soldiers would frequently rise up 
and look over the parapet. The general cried out, 
" Down — down, men ! — don't expose yourselves." " But, 
general," said one, '■'■you are exposed." "Oh!" said 
Scott, '■^generals, now-a-days, can be made out of any- 
body, but men cannot be had." 

Something has been severely said, as to the loss of 
women and children by the bombardment of the city ; but 
this is unjustly said. Scott, as appears by the official 
papers, gave ample notice of the danger to consuls, neu- 
trals, and non-combatants in the city, and ample time for 
them to remove. That they, or at least many of them, 
did not avail themselves of that notice, was their own 
fault ; and, by the laws of war, it was both unnecessary 
and impossible that the siege should be delayed, or givem 
up, on account of the inhabitants within, who had long 
known that the United States army would land there, 
and who had received from the commander full notice of 
danger. 

We add General Scott's official despatches. 



HBAfxaUARTERS OF THE ArMY 

Camp Washingtou, before Vera Cruz 
March 12th, 184 



RUZ, > 

7. > 



Sir : — The colors of the United States were triumphantir 
planted ashore, in full view of this city and castle, and under 
the distant fire of both, in the afternoon of the 9th inst. 
Brevet Brigadier-general Worth's brigade of regulars led the 
descent, quickly followed by the division of United States 
volunteers under Major-general Patterson, and Brigadier- 



GEN. scott's despatches. 175 

general Twiggs' reserve brigade of regulars. The three 
lines successively landed in sixty-seven surf-boats, each boat 
conducted by a naval officer, and rowed by sailors from Com- 
modore Connor's squadron, whose lighter vessels flanked the 
boats so as to be ready to protect the operation by their cross- 
fire. The whole army reached the shore in fine style, and 
without direct opposition, (on the beach,) accident, or loss, 
driving the enemy from the ground to be occupied. 

The line of investment, according to General Orders, No. 
47, was partially taken up the same night ; but has only been 
completed to-day, owing to the most extraordinary difficulties : 
1. The environs of the city, outside of the fire of its guns and 
those of the castle, are broken into innumerable hills of loose 
sand, from 20 to 250 feet in height, with almost impassable 
forests of chapporal between ; and, 2. Of all our means of 
land-transportation — wagons, carts, pack-saddles, horses, and 
mules, expected to join us from Tampico and the Brazos, 
weeks Ago — but 15 carts and about 100 draught-horses have 
yet arrived. Three hundred pack-mules are greatly needed 
to relieve the troops in taking subsistence alone, along the 
line of investment of more than five miles, as, at present, our 
only depot is south of the city. On the cessation of the pres- 
ent raging Norther, which almost stifles the troops with sand, 
sweeping away hills and creating new, I hope to establish a 
second depot north of the city, which will partially relieve the 
left wing of the army. 

In extending the line of investment around the city, the 
troops for three days have performed the heaviest labors in 
getting over the hills and cutting through the intervening 
forests — all under the distant fire of the city and castle, and 
in the midst of many sharp skirmishes with the enemy. In 
these operations we have lost in killed and wounded several 
valuable officers and men. Among the killed I have to re- 
port Brevet Capt. Alburtis, of the United States 2d Infantry, 



176 GEN. scott's despatches continued, 

much distinguished in the Florida war, and a most excellent 
officer. He fell on the 11th inst. ; and Lieut. Col. Dickenson, 
of the South Carolina Regiment, was badly wounded in a 
skirmish the day before. Two privates have been killed in 
these operations, and four or five wounded. As yet I have 
not been able to obtain their names. 

As soon as the subsistence of the troops can be assured, 
and their positions are well established, I shall, by an or- 
ganized movement, cause each brigade of regulars and volun- 
teers to send detachments, with supports, to clear its front, 
including sub-bourgs, of the enemy's parties, so as to oblige 
them to confine themselves within the walls of the city. 

I have heretofore reported that but two-sevenths of the 
siege-train and ammunition had reached me. The remainder 
is yet unheard of. We shall commence landing the heavy 
metal as soon as the storm subsides, and hope that the five- 
sevenths may be up in time. 

The city being invested, would, no doubt, early surrender, 
but for the fear that, if occupied by us, it would immediately 
be fired upon by the castle. I am not altogether without 
hope of finding the means of coming to some compromise 
with the city on this subject. 

So far, the principal skirmishing has fallen to the lot of 
Brigadier-general Pillow's and Quitman's brigades. Both 
old and new volunteer regiments have conducted themselves 
admirably. Indeed, the whole army is full of zeal and 
confidence, and cannot fail to acquire distinction in the im- 
pending operations. 

To Commodore Connor, the officers and sailors of his 
squadron, the army is indebted for great and unceasing 
assistance, promptly and cheerfully rendered. Their co-opera- 
tion is the constant theme of our gratitude and admiration. A 
handsome detachment of marines, under Capt. Edson, of that 
corps, landed with the first line, and is doing duty with the army. 



GEN. SCOTt's despatches CONTINUED, 177 

March 13. — The enemy, at intervals, continues the fire of 
heavy ordnance, from the city and castle, upon our line of 
investment, both by day and night, but with little or no 
effect. 

The norther has ceased, which has renewed our com- 
munication with the store-ships at anchor under Sacrificios. 
We shall immediately commence landing the few pieces of 
heavy ordnance, with ordnance stores, at hand, and hope 
soon to have the necessary draught-mules to take them to 
their positions. Any farther delay in the arrival of those 
means of transportation will be severely felt in our operations. 

I have the honor to remam, sir, with high respect, your 

most obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 
Hon. Wm. L. Marcy, Secretary of War. 

HEADaUARTERS OF THE ArMY, 1 

Camp Washiugton, before Vera Cruz, > 
March 23, 1847. ) 

Sir : — Yesterday, seven of our 10-inch mortars being in 
battery, and the labors for planting the remainder of our 
heavy metal being in progress, I addressed, at two o'clock, 
p. M. a summons to the Governor of Vera Cruz, and within 
the two hours limited by the bearer of the flag, received the 
Governor's answer. Copies of the two papers (marked respec- 
tively A and B) are herewith enclosed. 

It will be perceived that the Governor, who, it turns out, 
is the commander of both places, chose, against the plain 
terms of the summons, to suppose me tO' have demanded the 
surrender of the castle and of the city ; when in fact, from 
the non-arrival of our heavy metal — principally mortars — I 
was in no condition to threaten the former. 

On the return of the flag with that reply, I at once order- 
ed the seven mortars, in battery, to open upon the city. 
In a short time the smaller vessels of Commodore Perry's 
squadron — two steamers and five schooners — according to 

12 



178 GEN. scott's despatches continued. 

previous arrangement with Jiim, approached the city withisi 
about a mile and an eighth, whence, being partially covered 
from the castle — an essential condition to their safety — they 
also opened a brisk fire upon the city. This has been con- 
tinued uninterruptedly by the mortars, and, only with a few 
intermissions, by the vessels, up to 9 o'clock this morning, 
when the Commodore, very properly, called them oft' from a 
position too daringly assumed. 

Our three remaining mortars are now (12 o'clock, a. m.) 
in battery, and the whole ten in activity. To-morrow, early, if 
the city should continue obstinate, batteries Nos. 4 and 5 will be 
ready to add their fire : No. 4, consisting of four 24-pounders 
and two 8-inch Paixhan guns, and No. 5 (naval battery) of 
three 32-pounders and three 8-inch Paixhans — the guns, offi- 
cers, and sailors, landed from the squadron — our friends of 
the navy being unremitting in their zealous co-operation, in 
every mode and form. 

So far, we know that our fire upon the city has been 
highly effective, particularly from the batteries of 10-inch 
mortars, planted at about 800 yards from the city. In- 
cluding the preparation and defence of the batteries, from 
the beginning — now many days — and notwithstanding the 
heavy fire of the enemy, from city and castle, we have only 
had four or five men wounded and one officer and one man 
killed, in or near the trenches. That officer was Captain 
John R. Vinton, of the United States third artillery, one 
of the most talented, accomplished, and effective members of 
the army, and who was highly distinguished in the brilliant 
operations at Monterey. He fell last evening in the trenches, 
where he was on duty as field and commanding officer, uni- 
versally regretted. I have just attended his honored remains 
to a soldier's grave — in full view of the enemy and within 
reach of his guns. 

Thirteen of the long-needed mortars — leaving twenty- 



GEN. SOOTt's despatches CONTINUED. 179 

seven, besides heavy guns, behind — have arrived, and two 
of them landed. A heavy norther then set in (at meridian) 
that stopped that operation, and also the landing of shells. 
Hence the fire of our mortar batteries has been slackened, 
since two o'clock to day, and cannot be reinvigorated until 
we shall again have a smooth sea. In the mean time I shall 
leave this report open for journalizing events that may occur 
up to the departure of the steam ship-of-war, the Princeton, 
with Com. Connor, who, I learn, expects to leave the an- 
chorage of Sacrificios, for the United States, the 25th inst. 

March 24. — The storm having subsided in the night, we 
commenced this forenoon, as soon as the sea became a little 
smooth, to land shot, shells, and mortars. 

The naval battery No. 5, was opened with great activity, 
under Capt. Aulick, the second in rank of the squadron, at 
about 10 A. M. His fire was continued to 2 o'clock, p. bi., 
a little before he was relieved by Capt. Mayo, who landed 
with a fresh supply of ammunition, Capt. A. having ex- 
hausted the supply he had brought with him. He lost four 
sailors, killed, and had one officer, Lieut. Baldwin, slightly hurt. 

The mortar batteries, Nos. 1, 2, and 3, have fired but lan- 
guidly during the day for want of shells, which are now go- 
ing out from the beach. 

The two reports of Col. Bankhead, chief of artillery, both 
of this date, copies of which I enclose, give the incidents of 
those three batteries. 

Battery No. 4, which will mount four 24-pounders and 
two 8-inch Paixhan guns, has been much delayed in the 
hands of the indefatigable engineers by the norther that filled 
up the work with sand nearly as fast as it could be opened 
by the half-blinded laborers. It will, however, doubtless be 
in full activity early to-morrow morning. 

March 25. — The Princeton being about to start for Phila- 
delphia, I have but a moment to continue this report. 



180 GEN. scott's despatches continuei 

All the batteries, Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, are in awful ac- 
tivity this morning. The effect is, no doubt, very great, and 
I think the city cannot hold out beyond to-day. To-morrow 
morning many of the new mortars will be in a position to add 
their fire, when, or after the delay of some twelve hours, if 
no proposition to surrender should be received, I shall or- 
ganize parties for carrying the city by assault. So far the 
defence has been spirited and obstinate. 

I enclose a copy of a memorial received last night signed 
by the consuls of Great Britain, France, Spain, and Prussia, 
within Vera Cruz, asking me to grant a truce to enable the 
neutrals, together with Mexican women and children, to with- 
draw from the scene of havoc about them. I shall reply, the 
moment that an opportunity may be taken, to say — 1. That 
a truce can only be granted on the application of Gov. 
Morales, with a view to surrender. 2. That in sending 
safeguards to the different consuls, beginning so far back as 
the 13th inst., I distinctly admonished them — particularly the 
French and Spanish consuls — and of course, through the two, 
the other consuls, of the dangers that have followed. 3. That 
although at that date I had already refused to allow any per- 
son whatsover t^ pass the line of investment either way, yet 
the blockade had been left open to the consuls and other 
neutrals to pass out to their respective ships of war up to the 
22d instant ; and, 4. I shall enclose to the memorialists a copy 
of my summons to the Governor, to show that I had fully 
considered the impending hardships and distresses of the 
place, including those of women and children, before one 
gun had been fired in that direction. The intercourse be- 
tween the neutral sliips of war and the city was stopped at the 
last-mentioned date by Commodore Perry, with my concur- 
rence, which I placed on the ground that that intercourse 
could not fail to give to the enemy moral aid and comfort. 

It will be seen from the memorial, that our batteries have 



GEN. SCOTt's despatches CONTINUED. 181 

already had a terrible effect on the city, (also known through 
other sources,) and hence the inference that a surrender must 
soon be proposed. In haste, 

I have the honor to remain, sir, with respect, your most 
obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 
Hon. Wm. L. Marcy, Secretary of War. 

Headquarters of the Army, ) 

Vera Cruz, March 29, 1847. \ 

Sir — The flag of the United States of America floats 
triumphantly over the walls of this city and the castle of San 
Juan d'Ulloa. 

Our troops have garrisoned both since 10 o'clock : it is now 
noon. Brig. Gen. Worth is in command of the two places. 

Articles of capitulation were signed and exchanged at a 
late hour night before last. I enclose a copy of the docu- 
ment. 

I have heretofore reported the principal incidents of the 
siege up to the 25th instant. Nothing of striking interest oc- 
curred till early in the morning of the next day, when I re- 
ceived overtures from General Landero, on whom General 
Morales had devolved the principal command. A terrible 
storm of wind and sand made it difficult to communicate 
with the city, and impossible to refer to Commodore Perry. I 
was obliged to entertain the proposition alone, or to continue 
the fire upon a place that had shown a disposition to surrender ; 
for th^ loss of a day, or perhaps several, could not be per- 
mitted. The accompanying papers will show the proceedings 
and results. 

Yesterday, after the norther had abated, and the commis- 
sioners appointed by me early the morning before had again 
met those appointed by General Landero, Commodore Perry 
sent ashore his second in command. Captain Aulick, as a 
commissioner on the part of the navy. Although not included 



182 GEN. scott's despatches continued. 

in my specific arrangement made with the Mexican com- 
mander, I did not hesitate, with proper courtesy, to desire 
that Captain Aulick might be duly introduced and allowed to 
participate in the discussions and acts of the commissioners 
who had been reciprocally accredited. Hence the preamble 
to his signature. The original American commissioners 
were. Brevet Brigadier-general Worth, Brigadier-general 
Pillow, and Colonel Totten. Four more able or judicious 
officers could not have been desired. 

I have to add but little more. The remaining details of the 
siege — the able co-operation of the United States squadron, 
successively under the command of Commodores Connor 
and Perry — the admirable conduct of the whole army, 
regulars and volunteers — I should be happy to dwell upon as 
they deserve ; but the steamer Princeton, with Commodore 
Connor on board, is under way, and I have commenced 
organizing an advance into the interior. This may be delay- 
ed a few days, waiting the arrival of additional means of 
transportation. In the mean time, a joint operation, by land 
and water, will be made upon Alvarado. No lateral expe- 
dition, however, shair interfere with the grand movement to- 
wards the capital. 

In consideration of the great services of Col. Totten, in the 
siege that has just terminated most successfully, and the im- 
portance of his presence at Washington, as the head of the 
engineer bureau, I intrust this despatch to his personal care, 
and beg to commend him to the very favorable consideration 
of the department. 

I have the honor to remain, sir, with high respect, your 

most obedient servant, 

\VINFIELD SCOTT. 
Hon. Wm. L. Marcy, Secretary of War. 

The following were the terms of capitulation finally agreed 
upon : — 



GEN. SCOTt's despatches CONTINUED. 183 

Generals W. J. Worth and G. J. Pillow, and Col. J. G. 
Totten, chief engineer, on the part of Major-general Scott, 
general-in-chief of the armies of the United States; and Col. 
Jose Gutierrez de Villanueva, Lieut. Colonel of the engineers, 
Manuel Robles, and Col. Pedra de Herrera, commissioners 
appointed by General of brigade Don Jose Juan Landero, 
commanding in chief, Vera Cruz, the castle of San Juan 
d'UUoa and their dependencies — for the surrender to the arms 
of the United States of the said forts, with their armaments, 
munitions of war, garrisons, and arms. 

1. The whole garrison, or garrisons, to be surrendered to 
the arms of the United States, as prisoners of war, the 29th 
inst., at 10 o'clock, a. m. ; the garrisons to be permitted to 
march out with all the honors of war, and to lay down their 
arms to such officers as may be appointed by the general-in- 
chief of the United States, and at a point to be agreed on by 
the commissioners. 

2. Mexican officers shall preserve their arms and private 
effects, including horse and horse furniture, and to be allowed, 
regular and irregular officers and also to rank and file, five 
days to retire to their respective homes, on parole, as herein- 
after prescribed. 

3. Coincident with the surrender, as stipulated in article 
one, the Mexican flags of the various forts and stations shall 
be struck, saluted by their own batteries ; and, immediately 
thereafter, forts Santiago and Conception and the castle of 
San Juan d'UUoa, occupied by the forces of the United States. 

4. The rank and file of the regular portion of the prisoners 
to be disposed of, after surrender and parole, as their general- 
in-chief may desire, and the irregular to be permitted to re- 
turn to their homes. The officers, in respect to all arms and 
<iescriptions of force, giving the usual parole, that the said 
rank and file, as well as themselves, shall not serve again 
until duly exchanged. 



184 ARMY ADVANCES INTO THE INTERIOR. 

5. All the materiel of war, and all public property of every 
description found in the city, the castle of San Juan d'UUoa, 
and their dependencies, to belong to the United States ; but 
the armament of the same (not injured or destroyed in the 
further prosecution of the actual war) may be considered as 
liable to be restored to Mexico by a definitive treaty of peace. 

6. The sick and wounded Mexicans to be allowed to re- 
main in the city, with such medical officers of the army as 
may be necessary to their care and treatment. 

7. Absolute protection is solemnly guarantied to persons 
in the city, and property, and it is clearly understood that no 
private building or property is to be taken or used by the 
forces of the United States, without previous arrangement 
with the owners, and for a fair equivalent. 

8. Absolute freedom of religious worship and ceremonies 
is solemnly guarantied. 

We must now resume the march of Scott's army to the 
capital of Mexico. Worth is appointed (for the time) 
governor of Vera Cruz. The army is organized for an 
advance on the Jalapa road — but wagons are wanting. 
Eight thousand men are to be thrown forward into the 
heart of Mexico. Quantities of ammunition, provisions, 
cannon, arms, are to be carried. Yet the wagons, 
horses, and mules which are to do this service, are not yet 
arrived. A little while since, and they were two thousand 
miles off, in the heart of the United States. But tiiey will 
come. They are descending the Ohio and the Missis- 
sippi. They Avill be here. One by one, dozen by dozen, 
they arrive. On the 8th of April, ten days after the sur- 
render of Vera Cruz, the veteran Twiggs, with his heroic 
division, takes the Jalapa road. Other divisions rapidly 
follow. In three days they reach the foot of the moun- 



REACHES CERRO GORDO. 185 

tains, from whose heights may be seen the splendid vision 
of Orizaba, and its snow-crowned tops, along whose ridges 
the road continues to the ancient capital of the Montezu- 
mas ; and from whose almost impregnable summits looks 
down Santa Anna with fifteen thousand men. The Mex- 
ican chief, defeated at Buena Vista, had rapidly traversed 
the interior provinces with the greater part of his army, 
and now sought to defend the heights of Cerro Gordo, 
formidable by nature, with batteries and intrenchments. 

Here Twiggs makes a reconnoissance on the 12th, and 
determines to attack the enemy next morning. In the 
meanwhile Patterson arrives with volunteers, and delays 
the attack till the arrival of the general-in-chief. Scott 
makes a new reconnoissance, and perceives that an attack 
in front would be in vain, for the batteries there are com- 
manded by the still higher ones on the summits of Cerro 
Gordo. He orders a road to be cut to the right of the 
American army, but to the left of Cerro Gordo, which 
winds round the base of the mountains and ascends them 
in the rear of the Mexican forts, there rejoining the Jalapa 
road, and behind the whole Mexican position. The labor, 
the skill, the courage of American soldiers accomplish it. 
For three days the Mexicans do not discover it. It is 
nearly done on the 17th, when they fire with grape and 
musketry on the working parties. Twiggs again advan- 
ces to the storm. He carries the hill below Cerro Gordo, 
but above the new road. All is safe now, and all is ready 
for the coming battle. On the 17th of April Scott issues 
his celebrated order, dated Plan del Rio. It details, with 
prophetic accuracy, the movements of the following day — 
the positions, the attack, the battle, the victory, and the 
hot pursuit, till the spires of Jalapa should appear in 
Q2 



186 GENERAL SCOTt's ORDER. 

sight. It is an order most remarkable in history. Here 
it is : — 

General Orders, No. 111. 

Headquarters of the Army, ) 
Plan del Rio, April 17, 1847. ^ 

The enemy's whole line of intrenchments and batteries 
will be attacked in front, and at the same time turned, early 
in the day to-morrow — probably before ten o'clock, a. m. 

The second (Twiggs') division of regulars is already ad- 
vanced within easy turning distance towards the enemy's 
left. That division has instructions to move forward before 
daylight to-morrow, and take up a position across the national 
road in the enemy's rear, so as to cut off a retreat towards 
Xalapa. It may be reinforced to-day, if unexpectedly at- 
tacked in force, by regiments — one or two taken from Shields' 
brigade of volunteers. If not, the two volunteer regiments 
will march for that purpose at daylight to-morrow morning, 
under Brigadier-general Shields, who will report to Brigadier- 
general Twiggs, on getting up with him, or the general-in- 
chief, if he be in advance. 

The remaining regiment of that volunteer brigade will re- 
ceive instructions in the course of this day. 

The first division of regulars (Worth's) M'ill follow the 
movement against the enemy's left at sunrise to-morrow 
morning. 

As already arranged. Brigadier-general Pillow's brigade 
will march at six o'clock to-morrow morning along the route 
he has carefully reconnoitred, and stand ready as soon as he 
hears the report of arms on our right, or sooner if circum- 
stances should favor him, to pierce the enemy's line of bat- 
teries at such point — the nearer the river the better — as he 
may select. Once in the rear of that line, he will turn to 
the right or left, or both, and attack the batteries in reverse ; 



ITS FULFILMENT. 187 

or, if abandoned, he will pursue the enemy with vigor until 
further orders. 

Wall's field battery and the cavalry will be held in reserve 
on the national road, a little out of view and range of the 
enemy's batteries. They will take up that position at nine 
o'clock in the morning. 

The enemy's batteries being carried or abandoned, all our 
divisions and corps will pursue with vigor. 

This pursuit may be continued many miles, until stopped 
by darkness or fortified positions towards Xalapa. Conse- 
quently, the body of the army will not return to this encamp- ' 
ment, but be followed to-morrow afternoon, or early the next 
morning, by the baggage trains of the several corps. For 
this purpose, the feebler officers and men of each corps will 
be left to guard its camp and effects, and to load up the lat- 
ter in the wagons of the corps. A commander of the pres- 
ent encampment will be designated in the course of this day. 

As soon as it shall be known that the enemy's works have 
been carried, or that the general pursuit has been com- 
menced, one wagon for each regiment and one for the cavalry 
will follow the movement, to receive, under the directions of 
medical officers, the wounded and disabled, who will be 
brousht back to this place for treatment in general hospital. 

The Surgeon-general will organize this important service 
and designate that hospital, as well as the medical officers to 

be left at it. 

Every man who marches out to attack or pursue the ene- 
my, will take the usual allowance of ammunition, and sub- 
sistence for at least two days. 

By command of Maj. Gen. Scott, 

H. L. SCOTT, A. A. A. General. 

The order thus given was realized to the letter, with 
the exception that General Pillow's brigade was repulsed 




r 



BATTLE OF CERRO GORDO. 189 

in the attack on the batteries in front. They were, how- 
ever, taken, and their garrisons made prisoners, by the 
advanced corps of the army, at the close of the battle. 
In each particular — of march, battle, victory, and pursuit 
— the order of Scott was prophetically correct. It proves 
the confidence of the commander in the indomitable en- 
ergy of his troops. On the night of that day, (the 17th,) 
the enemy's position appears almost impregnable. On 
their right rolls a deep river. Along its side rises a chain 
of mountains one thousand feet in height. On these, 
heavy batteries frown down on all below. Over all rises 
the summit and tower of Cerro Gordo. Winding among 
the gorges of these mountains, and at last turning between 
the highest battery and the river below, is the National 
road, by which only the American army must pass. The 
Anglo-American soldier looks out from his camp at Plan 
del Rio, and sees this deep river on the side, this rampart 
of mountains in front, the high batteries beyond, and 
knows that the Mexican chief, with fifteen thousand men, 
is encamped on these mountains thus strongly defended. 
How shall he be attacked ? The general order points out 
each step in the way. 

On the night of the 17th, a thousand men of Twiggs' 
division are detailed on their route to plant an American 
battery on the captured hill below Cerro Gordo. A heavy 
twenty-four-pounder was brought up, and two twenty- 
four-pound howitzers. These were dragged by main 
force up the hill, hundreds of feet high, in a night of total 
darkness. A fire is built below, and the officers and men 
are told to take the cannon straight up. They are already 
fatigued, exhausted, and parched with thirst ; but they 
stop not for these. They are divided into two parties, of 



190 BATTLE CONTINUED. 

five hundred men each, for relief. They drag the pieces 
up with the hands. Here they stop, block up, and chain 
the wheels, till they are relieved by the other division. 
Again they go on, and again they relieve. Thus they go 
on from seven in the evening till three in the morning. 
The ground is covered with exhausted soldiers, some to 
sleep and some to rest. But the cannon are carried up. 
The morning finds them on the hill, and as the rosy light 
blushes in the heavens, the soft music of the Mexican 
reveillee is heard summoning their men to the muster. 
The batteries and encampments are revealed. The fine 
body of Mexican lancers, in splendid uniforms, and with 
an unfurled standard, are moving along. Here battalions 
of artillery, and there a dense column of infantry, arrest 
the attention. Below and above are batteries darkly 
threatening to open their fire. This captured position 
thus commands all the defences but Cerro Gordo. But 
that is above. That can fire down upon every position 
wdiich could be taken. It is plain, then, that the fort of 
Cerro Gordo is the key position of all the rest. This 
the discriminating eye of military science had clearly 
seen. Scott sees it, and has prepared for it. Hence the 
new road was made, winding, as you see, around the 
base of the mountain to our right, but to the left of Cerro 
Gordo, so that this citadel of the Mexican camp may be 
stormed from the flank, and the retreat of the troops by 
the National road cut off. Hence, Pillow's brigade is to 
attack their batteries on the front hill rampart, and either 
take them, or divert their attention from our flank move- 
ment. Hence, the night work of our men, so that our 
new hill-fort may command these batteries of the enemy, 
and at the right moment compel their surrender. All is 



BATTLE CONTINUED. 191 

well done. All is ready. The mght-watch is past. 
Twiggs' division, which has rested on its arms, is rousing 
itself at the first light. The gallant artillerymen and en- 
gineers on the hill cut away the hght brush in front of 
their guns, and now the heavy cannon begin their fire on 
the hill batteries. Their thunder tones are echoed from 
the mountain sides, and returned from the pieces of the 
enemy. The division of Twiggs is marching. The vol- 
unteers of Shields are hurrying on to seize the Jalapa 
road in rear of Santa Anna. Cerro Gordo now opens its 
plunging fire on Twiggs, and the issue has come. Cerro 
Gordo must be stormed. The storm is led by the gallant 
Harney. They fight under the eye of Scott. Here march 
the rifles, the 1st artillery, the 7th infantry ; and near them, 
and with them storming the heights, are the 2d and the 
3d infantry, and the 4tli artillery. These are the regulars 
of Twiggs, and here they march up the rocky ascent, so 
steep that they must climb as they go, and with no cover- 
ing but the very steepness of the hill. They receive a 
plunging fire in front and a rolling fire on the flanks — but, 
on they go. On — on, Harney leads his men. The front 
rank melts away before the shot ; but they stop not till 
the hill is gained, and then a long and loud shout echoes 
from the mountain sides — Cerro Gordo is gained ! Vas- 
quez, the Mexican general, is killed in the fortress. Now 
the flags of the 1st artillery and 7th infantry are planted 
on the batteries, and now Sergeant Henry hauls down the 
national standard of Mexico. The Anglo-American again 
unfurls the flag of his country, and again renews the vic- 
tories of Cortez. But where are the volunteers ? Yet 
further to the right, and hastening to the Jalapa road, 
They storm a fort in front — the heroic Shields is shot 



192 RESULT OF THE BATTLE. 

through the lungs^ — but the fort is taken — the road is 
gained — and the flying army of Santa Anna is pursued in 
all directions. 

On the river batteries in front, Pillow's attack is not 
successful. The batteries enfilade our men, and after 
bravely fighting, they are drawn back ; but their effort is 
not lost. The corps of General La Vega is kept em- 
ployed till Cerro Gordo has fallen. Then he surrenders, 
with three thousand men prisoners of war. Santa Anna, 
with Almonte, Canalize, and eight thousand have escaped, 
leaving carriages and baggage behind, and are now on the 
road to Jalapa. The sun is at noon, and the battle is end- 
ed ; but the pursuit continues. The reserve division of 
Worth comes up, passes Twiggs, and hurries rapidly on 
after the confused and flying Mexicans ; nor does he stop 
till Jalapa appears in sight ! 

On the 19th of April, from Plan del Rio, Scott an- 
nounces to the War Department, that he is embarrassed 
with the results of victory ! Three thousand prisoners, 
forty-three pieces of bronze artillery manufactured at Se- 
ville, five thousand stand of arms, five generals, with the 
munitions and materials of an army, captured in a single 
battle, are the fruits of victory, and demand the earnest 
care of the conquering general ! The men must be pa- 
roled ; the sma^l-arms must be destroyed ; we have not 
men to take care of them. 

Such was THE Battle of Cerro Gordo. In the skill 
with which it was planned, in the formidable defences to 
be surmounted, in the heroism of the attack, and in the 
magnitude of results, with which of American battles will 
it not compare ? There were almost impassable obsta- 
cles, surmounted by skill ; there were almost impregnable 



ACCOUNT OF AN EYE-WITNESS. 193 

batteries, stormed by valor ; there were thousands of pris- 
oners captured, and an army destroyed ; there was a road 
to the capital laid open, and towns and cities taken in the 
long visla of a victorious march ! The Mexican empire 
lies under the feet of the conqueror, and again is the Aztec 
compelled to witness the triumphs of power, and utter by 
the ruins of the Past, the mournings of the Present ! 

Look around you upon the battle-field, now that the 
dark chariot of war has driven by ! Hear the description 
of one who has been to look upon the dead. 

" A dragoon we encountered on the way kindly offered 
to be our guide, and from him we learned the positions of 
the different armies, their divisions and subdivisions. As 
winding around the hills by the National road, the ene- 
my's intrenchments, their barricaded heights, strong forts, 
and well-defended passes came in view, we halted, and 
gazed for several moments in mute amazement. No one, 
from reading the newspaper accounts or the reports of the 
generals, can form a proper idea of the advantages pos- 
sessed by the enemy in his chosen position. The battle, 
I knew it had been fought and won by our troops ; yet it 
seemed, in its bare, still reality, a dream. I could not 
shake off this feeling as I rode along the enemy's lines of 
intrenchments, entered his dismantled forts and maga- 
zines, and looked from his chosen heights upon the paths 
up which our troops rushed into the jaws of death. * * * 

" Passing down the ravine where the National Guard 
had three times attempted to dislodge the mounted rifle- 
men, who, supported by the howitzer battery, literally 
rained death among their ranks, I was obliged to turn 
back and retrace my steps. The gorge was choked up. 

with the mangled bodies of the flower of the Mexican ar- 
R 13 



194 BATTLE CONTINUED. 

my. The wolf-dog and the buzzard howled and screamed 
as I rode by, and the stench was too sickening to be en- 
dured. Returning to the National road, we passed a large 
number of cannon taken by our troops, and saw piles of 
muskets chatred with fire in heaps, where they had been 
heaped and burned. ***** 

" All along the road were the bodies of Mexican lan- 
cers and their horses, cut down by Colonel Harney's 
dragoons, when these fire-eaters chased Santa Anna and 
his retreating troops into and beyond Jalapa. Almost 
every man's skull was literally split open with the sabres 
of our horsemen, and they lay stretched upon the ground 
in ghastly groups." 

From this sad scenery of war, as exhibited in the relics 
of a battle-field, we must hasten on with the gallant gen- 
eral, who renewed with yet deeper verdure the laurels of 
Niagara on the summits of Cerro Gordo. Scott was no 
distant spectator of the combat. He had called others to 
the field, and he shared its dangers himself. Having pre- 
pared all things for the storm of the tower, (called by the 
Mexicans the Telegraph,) he took post at the point Col. 
Harney charged, and under the heavy fire of the enemy's 
artillery. There he witnessed the gallant charge, and 
there he encouraged the troops. It was then that he thus 
addressed Colonel Harney, (between whom and himself 
there had been some coolness :) " Colonel Harney, I can- 
not now adequately express my admiration of your gallant 
achievement, but at the proper time 1 shall take great 
pleasure in thanking you in proper terms." Harney, with 
the modesty of true valor, claimed the praise as due to his 
officers and men. 

At this time Captain Patten, an excellent officer of the 



' REFLECTIONS ON THE BATTLE. 195 

3d infantry, was wounded, losing a part of his left hand. 
It was in the midst of the thunder-crash of battle, when 
the dying fell thickest, and when the crisis was at hand. 
It was a plunging fire ; and after thus wounding Captain 
Patten, the ball struck a rock which it broke into frag- 
ments, one of which cut down and wounded the second 
sergeant of Captain Patten's company. 

While Captain Patten was yet in the field, holding with 
his right hand the arm of the shattered left. General Scott 
rode slowly by, " under a canopy," to use Captain Patten's 
expression, " of cannon-balls." Seeing a wounded man, 
and supposing him to be a soldier, he exclaimed, slacking 
his pace, " There is a brave soldier badly wounded, I 
fear ;" and then, being told by an officer that it was Cap- 
tain Patten, the general halted, and called to Captain Pat- 
ten to inquire the nature of the wound ; but in the roar of 
battle he was not heard. 

Captain Patten spoke with enthusiasm as well of the 
calm and soldierly bearing of his gallant commander, amid 
the thickest and hottest of this murderous cannonade, as 
of his ready sympathy with, and attention to the wounded 
men and officers. 

When the battle was closed, the hoped-for victory had 
become reality, and the future no longer absorbed all the 
mind, Scott hastened to the side of the wounded. It was 
from a hospital of wounded and sick, that his first official 
report, dated April 19th, was despatched. An officer who 
was present in these scenes, relates that General Scott 
visited in person the wounded, and saw, himself, that they 
were attended in the best manner. His men were in all 
cases, when the events of the campaign allowed him any 
time for thought on other subjects, his first care. He 



196 GEN. scott's official despatches. 

was ever as humane as heroic. He attended the bedside 
of the sick with cholera in the Northwest, and he now vis- 
ited and aided, in the hospitals of the wounded of Cerro 
Gordo. Soon after this event, and on the occupation of 
Jalapa, he caused the removal of the wounded and sick 
to the more comfortable and healthier quarters in that 
town. Among these was the brave Shields, in whose 
dangerous condition he deeply sympathized. 

It will be recollected that Santa Anna's carriage, with a 
large amount of specie, was captured, just after the Mexi- 
can army fled from the field. Whatever of this property 
belonged personally to Santa Anna, Scott was most care- 
ful to return to his agent and man of business. It was a 
principle with General Scott, which he has most carefully 
carried out, that war was not a scheme for robbery, but 
the honorable contest of nations for national rights. He 
suffers no plunder of private property, no aggression on 
the rights of citizens, and he is most anxious to vindicate 
the American soldier and the American name from that 
barbarism which would convert war into the pillage of 
plunderers, and the glory of victory into the grossness of 
brutality. The following is the official despatch of the 
commander-in-chief : — 

HEADaUARTERS OF THE ArMY, 1 

Plan del Rio, 50 miles from Vera Cruz, > 
April 19, 1847. > 

Sm: The plan of attack, sketched in General Orders, No. 
Ill, forwarded herewith, was finely executed by this gallant 
army, before two o'clock p. m. yesterday. We are quite em- 
barrassed with the results of victory — prisoners of war, heavy 
ordnance, field batteries, small-arms, and accoutrements. 

About 3,000 men laid down their arms, with the usual 



GEN. scott's despatches. 197 

proportion of field and company officers, besides five generals, 
several of them of great distinction — Pinson, Jarrero, La 
Vega, Noriega, and Obando. A sixth general, Vasquez, 
was killed in defending the battery (tower) in the rear of the 
whole Mexican army, the capture of which gave us those 
glorious results. 

Our loss, though comparatively small in numbers, has 
been serious. Brigadier-general Shields, a commander of 
activity, zeal, and talent, is, I fear, if not dead, mortally 
wounded. He is some five miles from me at the moment. 
The field of operations covered many miles, broken by 
mountains and deep chasms, and I have not a report, as yet, 
from any division or brigade. 

Twiggs' division, followed by Shields' (now Col. Baker's) 
brigade, are now at or near Xalapa, and Worth's division is 
in route thither, all pursuing, with good results, as I learn, 
that part of the Mexican army — perhaps six or seven thou- 
sand men — who had fled before our right had carried the 
tower, and gained the Xalapa road. 

Pillow's brigade alone, is near me at this depot of wounded, 
sick, and prisoners ; and I have time only to give from him 
the names of 1st Lieut. F, B. Nelson, and 2d C. G. Hill, both 
of the 2d Tennessee foot, (Haskell's regiment,) among the 
killed, and in the brigade 106, of all ranks, killed or wounded. 

Among the latter, the gallant Brigadier-general himself 
has a smart wound in the arm, but not disabled ; and Major 
R. Farqueson, 2d Tennessee, Captain H. F. Murray, 2d 
Lieut. G. T. Sutherland, 1st Lieut. W. P. Hale, Adjutant, 
all of the same regiment, severely, and 1st Lieut. W, Year- 
wood, mortally wounded. And I know, from personal obser- 
vation on the ground, that 1st Lieut. Ewell, of the rifles, if 
not now dead, was mortally wounded in entering, sword in 
hand, the intrenchments around the captured tower. 

2d Lieut. Derbv, topographical engineers, I also saw, at 
r2 



198 GEN. scott's despatches. 

the same place, severely wounded, and Captain Patten, 2d 
United States Infantry, lost his right hand. Major Sumner, 
2d United States dragoons, was slightly wounded the day be- 
fore, and Capt. Johnston, topographical engineers, (now Lieut. - 
colonel of infantry,) was very severely wounded some days 
earlier while reconnoitring. I must not omit to add that 
Capt. Mason, and 2d Lieut. Davis, both of the rifles, were 
among the very severely wounded in storming the same 
tower. 

I estimate our total loss, in killed and wounded, may be 
about 250, and that of the enemy at 350. In the pur- 
suit towards Xalapa (25 miles hence) I learn we have added 
much to the enemy's loss in prisoners, killed, and wounded. 
In fact, I suppose his retreating army to be nearly dis- 
organized, and hence my haste to follow, in an hour or two, to 
profit by events. 

In this hurried and imperfect report I must not omit to say 
that Brigadier-general Twiggs, in passing the mountain- 
range beyond Cerro Gordo, crowned with the tower, detached 
from his division, as I suggested the day before, a strong 
force to carry that height, which commanded the Xalapa 
road at the foot, and could not fail, if carried, to cut off the 
whole, or any part of the enemy's forces, from a retreat in 
any direction. 

A portion of the 1st artillery, under the often-distinguish- 
ed Brevet Colonel Childs, the 3d infantry, under Captain 
Alexander, the 7th infantry, under Lieut. -colonel Plymton, 
and the rifles, under Major Loring, all under the temporary 
command of Colonel Harney, 2d dragoons, during the con- 
finement to his bed of Brevet Brig. -general P. F. Smith, 
composed that detachment. The style of execution, which 
I had the pleasure to witness, was most brilliant and decisive. 

The brigade ascended the long and difficult slope of Cerro 
Gordo, without shelter, and under the tremendous fire of 



GEN. scott's despatches. 199 

artillery and musketry with the utmost steadiness, reached 
the breastworks, drove the enemy from them, planted the 
colors of the 1st artillery, 3d and 7th infantry — the enemy's 
flag still flying — and, after some minutes' sharp firing, finish- 
ed the conquest with the bayonet. 

It is a most pleasing duty to say that the highest praise is 
due to Harney, Childs, Plymton, Loring, Alexander, their 
gallant officers and men, for this brilliant service, independent 
of the great results which soon followed. 

Worth's division of regulars coming up at this time, he 
detached Brevet Lieutenant-colonel C. F. Smith, with his 
light battalion, to support the assault, but not in time. The 
general, reaching the tower a few minutes before me, and 
observing a white flag displayed from the nearest portion of 
the enemy towards the batteries below, sent out Colonels 
Harney and Childs to hold a parley. The surrender follow- 
ed in an hour or two. 

Major-general Patterson left a sick-bed to share in the 
dangers and fatigues of the day ; and after the surrender went 
forward to command the advanced forces towards Xalapa. 

Brig.-general Pillow and his brigade twice assaulted with 
great daring the enemy's line of batteries on our left ; and 
though without success, they contributed much to distract 
and dismay their immediate opponents. 

President Santa Anna, with Generals Canalizo and Al- 
monte, and some six or eight thousand men, escaped towards 
Xalapa just before Cerro Gordo was carried, and before 
Twiggs' division reached the National road above. 

I have determined to parole the prisoners — officers and 
men — as I have not the means of feeding them here, beyond 
to-day, and cannot afford to detach a heavy body of horse and 
foot, with wagons, to accompany them to Vera Cruz. Our 
baggage train, though increasing, is not half large enough to 
give an assured progress to this army. 



200 ADVANCE FROM CERRO GORDO. 

Besides, a greater number of prisoners would, probably, 
escape from the escort in the long and deep sandy road, 
without subsistence — ten to one — than we shall find again, 
out of the same body of men, in the ranks opposed to us. 
Not one of the Vera Cruz prisoners is believed to have been 
in the lines of Cerro Gordo. Some six of the officers, highest 
in rank, refuse to give their paroles, except to go to Vera 
Cruz, and thence, perhaps, to the United States. 

The small-arms and accoutrements, being of no value to 
our army here or at home, I have ordered them to be destroy- 
ed ; for we have not the means of transporting them. I am, 

also, somewhat embarrassed with the pieces of artillery, 

all bronze, which we have captured. It would take a 
brigade, and half the mules of our army, to transport them 
fifty miles. 

A field battery I shall take for service with the army ; but 
the heavy metal must be collected, and left here for the 
present. We have our own siege-train and the proper 
carriages with us. 

Being much occupied with the prisoners, and all the details 
of a forward movement, besides looking to the supplies which 
are to follow from Vera Cruz, I have time to add no more — 
intending to be at Xalapa early to-morrow. We shall not, 
probably, again meet with serious opposition this side of 
Perote — certainly not, unless delayed by the want of the 
means of transportation. 

I have the honor to remain, sir, with high respect, your 
most obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 
Hon. Wm. L. Marcy, Secretary of War. 

From the field of Cerro Gordo the rout of the Mexi- 
can army was complete. Jalapa was entered on the 19th. 
The strong position of La Hoya was abandoned, with its 



PUEBLA ENTERED. £01 

artillery and works ; and on the 22d of April, Worth and 
his division occupied the strong castle and town of Perote ! 
Here fifly-four pieces of cannon, and mortars, (both bronze 
and iron,) eleven thousand cannon-balls, fourteen thou- 
sand bombs, and five hundred muskets, swelled the vast 
amount of the munitions of war captured from the army of 
Mexico ! 

On the 15th of May, General Worth, after encounterin£r 
but little resistance, entered the ancient city of Puebla. 
Thus, in a campaign which extended only from the 12th 
of March to the 15th of May, the city of Vera Cruz 
had been besieged and taken, the famed castle of San 
Juan d'Ulloa had fallen, the battle of Cerro Gordo was 
fought and won, the city of Jalapa taken, the castle and 
town of Perote captured, and the fine city of Puebla occu- 
pied ! Ten thousand men made prisoners of war, sever^ 
hundred splendid cannon, ten thousand stand of arms, 
thirty thousand shells and shot, were the spoils of the tri- 
umphant victories which had attended the American army, 
in a campaign of only two months ! History has few 
parallels for such rapid and such brilliant achievements ! 
But a few months before, an unguarded expression had 
made Win field Scott the mark of a ribald ridicule I 
Now, the government journal pronounces his campaign 
the rival of European splendor in war, eloquence is fervid 
_in its declamatory praises, and the more just and grateful 
sentiment bf the people renders back to the commander 
at Cerro Gordo, the admiration so gloriously won on the 
memorable plains of Niagara ! 



CHAPTER X. 

Entrance of the American Army into Puebla. — Mexican Recount. — 
American Officers. — Conduct of the Army. — Situation of Puebla. — 
Character of the Covmtry. — The ancient Chokila. — Strength of the 
Arniy. — Scott's Proclamation. — Humanity of the Army. — Mission of 
Trist. — Reasons for remaining in Puebla. — Drilling of the Army. — 
Raising new Regiments. — New Volunteers. — Attack on the Train of 
M'lutosh. — Advance of Pierce. — Concentration of the Army. 

In a morning of the beautiful month of May, and with- 
in the tropical zone, the American army of the north 
entered the " City of the Angels ;" in the Spanish tongue, 
Puebla de los Angelas. They came with the renown, 
sounding far in advance, of San Juan de Ulloa captured, 
and the heights of Cerro Gordo victoriously stormed. 
They had landed on the shores of the Mexican Gulf, 
intrenched themselves in the wind-driven sands, battered 
the defences of Vera Cruz, received the surrender of the 
castle, and marched two hundred miles into the land of 
the Spanish-Aztec Americans. The National Bridge had 
been passed, Jalapa had surrendered, Perote made no 
resistance, and now the bold invaders of Mexico ap- 
preached a city surrounded by the monuments of ancient 
civilization, and deemed fit, in the warm imagination of 
southern climes, for celestial residents. It was natural 
that such an army, the heralds too of a new^ and ex- 
traordinary republic, should be received by the inhabitants 
with mingled feelings of fear, surprise, and curiosity. 



ARMY ENTERS PUEBLA. 203 

Accordingly, the citizens of Puebla crowded the street 
and filled the balconies on the hne with spectators. 
Near noon the division of Worth entered the city, the 
artillery and infantry forming in the square, and the train 
of wagons extending from the street of Mercadores to the 
bridge of Nocte Buena.^ The troops were fatigued with 
their march, and needed both rest and refreshment. This 
weary aspect, the fact that many of them had been ill, the 
common gray undress uniform, and the plain truth that 
they were neither giants nor centaurs, disappointed the 
vivid imaginations of the Mexicans of Puebla, who had 
supposed that the conquerors of Cerro Gordo were some- 
thing marvellous in appearance or superhuman in power. 
The spectators turned from the scene with surprise, and 
asked themselves, How have these men become the con- 
querors of Mexico ? 

One of the most intelligent of the Mexican citizens, 
writing from Puebla two days after the entrance of the 
American army, thus expresses his disappointment at the 
appearance of that army, and endeavors to solve the prob- 
lem proposed by its achievements : — 

*' Nor does their armament seem to me any thing ex- 
traordinary. In a word, except the draught-horses, which 
are very good, I assure you, without exaggeration, that 
these men bring nothing that we have not seen a thou- 
sand times. Even the immense number of their wagons 
is not a proof of large stores. The wagons are all empty, 
and I understood their principal use to be for the trans- 
port of troops. How, then, have they done what they 



' Letter from a native of Puebla, dated May 16th, aud published in 
the London Times. 



204 SURPRISE OF THE MEXICANS. 

have ? How have they continually beaten our army, 
which not only surpasses them in appearance — for that is 
unquestionable — but in my opinion has real and positive 
advantages over them ? Every one asks this question, to 
which there is but one reply. Their leaders, and par- 
ticularly the colonels of regiments, are old gray-haireJ 
men. Their gray hairs explain the phenomenon. This 
makes me still rely on our soldiers, and gives me for tlie 
future some hopes, which we require more than ever."' 

This solution of the problem was at least partially cor- 
rect. The officers of the American army have expe- 
rience, skill, and science. Many of them served in the 
campaigns of 1813, 1814, and 1815, against the veteran 
soldiers of Great Britain ; many of them were bred at the 
military school at West Point — the, equal, and in some 
things the superior, of any school of military instruction 
in the world. All of them have been accustomed to the 
discipline of their profession, and are perfectly acquainted 
with the superior energies which the republican habits 
and intellectual vivacity of their countrymen have devel- 
oped in war. The army of the United States is not in- 
trusted to weak or ill-instructed hands ; but to officers 
skilled in the science and experience of the duties of the 
military art — a fact as honorable to the legislative sagacity 
of the republic, as its achievements in arms have proved 
illustrious in history. 

The soldiers piled their arms in the public square, 
and although surrounded by thousands of a hostile popu- 
lation, lay down to sleep, in perfect confidence that the 
enemy could not and dare not disturb them. No higher 

' Letter of the native of Puebla. 



DESCRIPTION OF PUEBLA. 205 

evidence could be given of that sense of absolute superi- 
ority and of resistless energy, which is uniformly felt by 
American troops — the sense that they are predestined to 
victory, no matter by whom, in what numbers, or in what 
manner opposed. On the following day they took pos- 
session of, the hills of Loreto and Guadaloupe, and artil- 
lery was sent to the hill of San Juan. General Worth 
paid the compliment of a visit to the Bishop of Puebla, 
and the bishop, in returning it, was received at the quarters 
of Worth with the honors paid to a general. Affably and 
respectfully did the American officers mingle with the 
people ; and for a time the stern countenance of war 
seemed to be lighted up with the smiles of beneficence, 
and its fearful strifes deferred to a peaceful harmony. 

The city of Puebla is situated on that vast plain which, 
in its height above the sea and the character of its pro- 
ductions, is the most singular portion of the earth. 

This plain is seven thousand feet high, and although 
wholly within the torrid zone, is called the tierras frias, 
or the cold grounds. The climate of a country depends 
as much upon altitude as latitude, and hence these lofty 
plains are called cold, and really produce the grains and 
fruits of the most temperate climes.^ Wheat of the finest 
quality, our Indian corn, barley, and fruits peculiar to this 
region, constitute the staple productions and elementary 
food of the inhabitants. Within this tropical but really 
temperate zone of lofty plains, and encircled by the sub- 
lime range of the Cordilleras, lies the province of Puebla. 
Its soil is, scattered over with and partly composed of 



* Humboldt's Travels in New Spain. 



206 FACE OF THE COUNTRY. 

the volcanic remains of ancient convulsions.^ The lava is 
strewed over the ground in different varieties, bearing a 
resemblance to the cinders of an iron-furnace. On the 
tops of the highest and most magnificent mountains may 
be found the craters v^^hence in ages past have streamed 
out these rich but dangerous ingredients of the soil. 
Yet, with all this, the earth is there garnished with but 
little of that beauty of foliage and that abundance of vege- 
table production which so distinguishes the great alluvials 
of the United States of the north. The cactus, that dis- 
criminating inhabitant of barren lands, is still frequent, 
and, except within a few miles of Puebla, the whole road 
from Vera Cruz to that city presents but a few scrubby 
bushes, some palms, and this unproductive cactus, called 
in this country the prickly-pear.^ In the neighborhood 
of Puebla, cultivated fields and waving grain indicate 
that husbandry has resumed its occupation, and that man, 
a resident of cities, has higher demands for food and lux- 
ury than the natural fruits or natural grasses can supply. 
He is still, however, the man of two thousand years ago. 
Time, which has revolutionized empires and established 
the supremacy of science in other lands, has left the 
Spanish Aztec, the unchanged image of his ancient fa- 
thers, in the indolence of his life and the fixedness of his 
habits. In vain has invention created arts, and genius 
startled a world with its wonderful achievements. He 
uses the plough of two thousand years since, employs 
oxen instead of horses, folds his arms in contemptuous 
pride, and sees the world, and its exhibitions of power 



' Waddy Thompson's Recollections of Mexico, page 17. 
' Ibid. 



ANCIENT CHOLULA. 207 

and wonder in science, pass by him, with the frigidity of 
indolence and the indifference of contempt! In this state 
was once one of the most numerous populations of the 
ancient Mexicans, yet it now scarcely contains fifty to a 
square mile — a number large compared with most of the 
provinces of Mexico, yet small compared with the popu- 
lous nations which inhabited here in the time of Cortez.' 
It was then the seat of the Tlascalans and Cholulans — 
people who had advanced far in the arts, and whose 
monuments were among the greatest of the earth. Six 
miles from the present city of Puebla was the great city 
of Cholula, which once contained two hundred thousand 
inhabitants, and where Cortez beheld the towers of four 
hundred idol temples ! Of this great city not a vestige 
remains ! Not a brick nor a stone stands upon another ! 
One monument stands in gloomy and solitary grandeur 
amidst the vast plain which surrounded it.^ This is the 
great pyramid, truncated at top, and supposed to have 
been dedicated to the worship of the gods of the Aztecs. 
This pyramid is one of the most remarkable among the 
ruins of ancient nations. It is 1440 feet on the side, at 
the base, 177 feet in height, and 45,210 square feet on 
the summit.^ 

In the midst of these ruins of ancient empires, sur- 
rounded by these mountains, upon this high plain, looking 
out upon these lava-covered fields, and through the clear, 
vivid, brilliant atmosphere of tropical highlands, is the 
city of Puebla. It now contains about eighty thousand 



' Cortez and Bernal Diaz. 

^ Waddy Thompson's Recollections of Mexico. 

' Description of Humboldt. 



208 scott's army reaches puebla. 

inhabitants. It is a beautiful city, well built, with lofty 
houses, broad streets, and fine public buildings.^ Here, 
at two hundred miles from the city of Vera Cruz on the 
Gulf of Mexico, and ninety from Mexico, the heart of the 
Aztec empire, the small but brave and glorious army of 
iScott arrived on the 15lh of May, 1847. With com- 
plexions sallowed, and disabled by the unwholesome 
climate of Vera Cruz — in the gray undress uniform of the 
United States, and wearied with many miles of tedious 
march, the army entered this Mexican city, to surprise its 
inhabitants as much by the inferiority of its appearance 
as it had done by the greatness of its deeds. Were these 
indeed to be the conquerors of Mexico ? Where were the 
far-famed heroes of Cerro Gordo ? Time, however, was 
to convince the Pueblans, in a yet more startling manner, 
that the energy of the American soldier could be revived 
to greater actions, and the glory of former battles be ob- 
scured by the brightness of those to come. 

The army, as it entered Puebla, was stated by a Mexi- 
can eye-witness to have numbered four thousand two 
hundred and ninety effective men, with thirteen pieces 
of artillery.^ This was the mardiing force at that 
point. On that day and at that place the number given 
was very nearly correct. Scott's force at that time capa- 
ble of marching on Mexico did not exceed /o?<r thousand 
five hundred men. A slight review of the preceding 
events and circumstances will explain this fact, and show 
that such was a necessary consequence of the measures 
taken by the government, and the losses necessarily sus- 



' Letter from a native of Puebla. 
» Ibid. 



DIFFICULTIES TO BE MET. 209 

lained in a distant campaign in a foreign land. In May, 
1846, Congress had authorized the President to call out 
fifty thousand volunteers. Twenty-three regiments had 
been called out in May and June. The time for which 
they were called out was but twelve months, and expired 
in May, 1847. Several of these regiments were in the 
army of Scott, and had been discharged on the way to 
Puebla. Sickness also had been rife among the troops. 
The camp dysentery, so common and so fatal among 
armies, had disabled many and destroyed others. At 
Vera Cruz, at Cerro Gordo, and in other engagements 
and skirmishes, not a few of the brave men who landed 
in Mexico had fallen a sacrifice to the bloody rites of war. 
The army, when concentrated at the Island of Lobos, 
had numbered fourteen thousand men; but thus re- 
duced by sickness, by discharges, and by death, in ad- 
dition to the garrisons required, not more than five thou- 
sand (exclusive of the garrison of Jalapa) capable of 
moving in arms could be assembled to march against the 
capital of Mexico. What were they to do ? Were the 
laurels of many battles and the glory of victorious cam- 
paigns to be risked, in the heart of a hostile nation, with 
so small a band ? Already had complaints of delay been 
made and repeated by the unthinking friends of the ad- 
ministration. They seemed to imagine that armies had 
nothing to do but march and fight, and that these should 
be done, by Americans, with a speed which surpassed all 
human experience ; that they neither required sleep nor 
bread, baggage nor transportation ; but that, heedless of 
supplies and regardless of opposition, they should hurry 
on to the end, rivalling the winds and trusting in a pre- 
destined victory ! Such a compliment was not unde- 
s2 ' 14 



210 DECISION OF THE CABINET. 

served by the skilful commander and heroic soldiers of 
the army of Mexico ; but even they ought not to have 
been expected to perform such unprecedented achieve- 
ments. With this small array, however, impelled by the 
natural ardor of a successful general, and in reliance upon 
the invincible energies of the American soldier, would 
Scott have proceeded at once to the city of Mexico, but 
for other and unexpected interferences. 

The cabinet at Washington had from the commence- 
ment of the war professed an anxious desire to terminate 
the controversy with Mexico, in any way honorable to the 
United States. General Scott, animated by the same 
desire, and conscious that no useful end was to be gained 
by carrying the terrors of martial law among the people of 
Mexico, beyond that of securing a permanent peace, had 
already addressed from Jalapa, a humane and reasoning 
proclamation to the Mexican people, stating to them the 
plain facts in their own condition, the events of the war, 
the unskilfulness of their leaders, the burdens imposed 
upon them, and the already foreshadowed results of this 
drama of conquest. This document^ is one of the finest 
specimens of military literature, both for the matter it 
contains and the manner of its composition. Having re- 
cited the civil and military events which preceded the 
battle of Cerro Gordo, the commander of the army pro- 
ceeds to say — 

Finally, the bloody event of Cerro Gordo has shown the 
Mexican nation what it may reasonably expect if it longer 
continues blind to the true situation in which it has been 

* Scott's Proclamation, dated Jalapa, May 11, 1847. 



Scott's proclamation. 211 

placed by some generals, whom it has most distinguished 
and in whom it has most confided. 

The hardest heart would be moved to grief in contem- 
plating the battle-fields of Mexico a moment after the last 
struggle. Those generals whom the nation has, without 
service rendered, paid for so many years, with some honor- 
able exceptions, have in the day of need betrayed it by their 
example or unskilfulness. On that field, among the dead 
and dying, are seen no proofs of military honor, for they are 
reduced to the sad fate of the soldier — the same on every 
occasion, from Palo Alto to Cerro Gordo — the dead to remain 
unburied, and the wounded abandoned to the charity and 
clemency of the conqueror. Soldiers who go to fight ex- 
pecting such a recompense, deserve to be classed among the 
best in the world, since they are stimulated by no hope of 
ephemeral glory, of regret, of remembrance, or even of a 
grave. 

Again, Mexicans of honorable pride — contemplate the lot 
of peaceful and laborious citizens in all classes of your so- 
ciety. The possessions of the Church menaced and held out 
as an incitement to revolution and anarchy ; the fortune of 
the rich proprietors pointed out for plunder to the ill-disposed; 
the merchant and the artisan, the laborer and the manufac- 
turer, burdened with contributions, excises, monopolies, taxes 
upon consumption, surrounded with restrictions and charged 
with odious internal customs ; the man of letters and the 
statesman, the man of liberal knowledge who dares to speak, 
persecuted without trial by some factions or by the rulers 
who abuse their power ; criminals unpunished and set at 
liberty, as were those of Perote — is this, then, Mexicans, the 
liberty which you enjoy ? 

I will not believe that the Mexicans of the present day are 
wanting in courage to confess errors which do not dishonor 



CI 2 scott's proclamation. 

them, and to adopt a system of true liberty, of peace, and 
union with their brethren and neighbors of the north ; neither 
will I believe that they are ignorant of the falsity of the 
calumnies of the press, intended to excite hostility. No ! 
public sentiment is not to be created or animated by false- 
hood. We have not profaned your temples, nor abused your 
women, nor seized your property, as they would have you 
believe. 

We say this with pride, and we confirm it by your own 
bishops, and by the clergy of Tampico, Tuspan, Matamoras, 
Monterey, Vera Cruz, and Jalapa, and by all the authorities 
civil and religious, and the inhabitants of every town we 
have occupied. We adore the same God, and a large por- 
tion of our army, as well as of the population of the United 
States, are Catholics, like yourselves. ' We punish crime 
wherever we find it, and reward merit and virtue. 

The army of the United States respects, and will always 
respect, private property of every description, and the prop- 
erty of the Mexican church. 

Mexicans ! the past cannot be remedied, but the future 
may be provided for. Repeatedly have I shown you that 
the government and people of the United States desire peace, 
desire your sincere friendship. 

Abandon, then, rancorous prejudices, cease to be the sport 
of individual ambition, and conduct yourselves like a great 
American nation ; leave off at once colonial habits, and 
learn to be truly free, truly republican, and you will become 
prosperous and happy, for you possess all the elements to be 
so. Remember that you are Americans, and that your hap- 
piness is not to come from Europe. 

I desire, in conclusion, to declare, and with equal frank- 
ness, that, if necessary, an army of one hundred thousand 
could promptly be brought, and that the United States vvoul! 



Scott's proclamation. 21L' 

not terminate their differences with Mexico (if compelled to 
do so by force of arms) in any manner uncertain, precari- 
ous, or dishonoring to yourselves. I should insult the intelli- 
gent of this country if I had any doubt of their acquaintance 
with this truth. 

The order to form guerilla parties to attack us, I assure 
you can procure nothing but evil to your country, and no 
evil to our army, which will know how to proceed against 
them ; and if, so far from conciliating, you succeed in irri- 
tating, you will impose upon us the hard necessity of retalia- 
tion, and then you cannot blame us for the consequences 
which will fall upon yourselves. 

I am marching with my army upon Puebla and Mexico — 
I do not conceal it ; from those capitals I shall again address 
you. I desire peace, friendship, and union — it is for you to 
select whether you prefer war ; under any circumstances, be 
assured I shall not fail my word. 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

This proclamation contains one of the best and most 
correct pictures of the conduct of the Mexican army, and 
the real operations of its government, anywhere to be 
found. It is true that it was (with a few honorable ex- 
ceptions) the Mexican officers and not the soldiers who 
had been wanting in skill, energy, or courage. The 
battle-fields, as here depicted, were strewed with the 
dead soldiers of the Mexican army; but in some instances 
the officers had retreated in haste, in some they were 
unwilling to fight, and in all they had shown a deficiency 
in military education, utterly incompetent to meet in suc- 
cessful contest the superior skill and the wonderfully 
developed power of modern military science. It was 
true, also, that the government of Mexico was one of une- 



214 COMMISSIONER TRIST ARRIVES. 

qual burdens and of unstable power. It depended rather 
upon the will of military chiefs than the affections of the 
people. It imposed burdens by caprice rather than prin- 
ciple. It fettered trade by restrictions alike unjust and 
unnecessary. It was true, and as honorable as true, that 
the army of Scott had signalized the humanity of modern 
warfare by a forbearance of all the barbarities of con- 
quest. It had seized mo individual property, destroyed 
no church structures, violated no private rights, and im- 
posed no contributions upon a prostrate population. The 
armies of Mexico were indeed swe})t from its paths with 
the fearful might of destruction, but they were swept 
away only in pursuance of the acknowledged rights of 
war, and left behind no mournful evidences of a vindic- 
tive malice. It was war and not barbarism which bore 
over the fields of Mexico the unfolded banner of the 
North American republic. 

Such was the professed disposition of the United States 
government towards Mexico, such the address of General 
Scott, and such the humane manner in which the war 
had been carried on, when an agent of the cabinet in 
Washington arrived in Mexico to negotiate peace. This 
person was Mr. Nicholas P. Trist, chief clerk in the de- 
partment of state. From the hostile attitude of the two 
governments towards each other, he could not come in the 
character of a regularly appointed envoy — a character only 
consistent with a state of peace. He did come, however, 
with certain letters from the cabinet at Washington to 
persons in Mexico, and with powers, on certain terms, as 
a commissioner to conclude a treaty of peace. ^ Mr. 

* Mr. Polk's ofRcial commission to Trist. 



REASONS FOR REMAINING AT PUEBLA. 215 

Trist arrived at Jalapa just before Scott's departure for 
Puebla, and immediately intimated a desire to transmit cer- 
tain papers to the Mexican government. If the proposi- 
tions they contained were acceptable to the authorities in 
Mexico, they necessarily implied a cessation of hostilities 
while the negotiations proceeded. Such was the condi- 
tion of affairs at Puebla in the beginning of June. With 
the government commissioner anxious for peace, and actu- 
ally seeking opportunities of negotiation, on the one hand, 
and with an army diminished (including all its disposable 
force) in effective men to less than five thousand, Scott, 
anxious to go forward, and looking with hope to the con- 
summation of the campaign in the city of Mexico, was 
yet compelled, by considerations both civil and military, 
to remain in Puebla. 

The military reasons why the army should remain at 
Puebla till reinforced, were of the strongest kind, and 
demanded the serious attention of the boldest commander, 
even if convinced of the entire infallibility of his troops. 
The event proved their force and the superior sagacity of 
the general, who, hopeful of the highest glory, and antici- 
pating only victory, sacrificed this ardor of action to high 
prudential considerations. These reasons were : \st. If 
the entire five thousand men then at Puebla could be 
placed at once in the city of Mexico, they were barely 
sufficient to constitute a common garrison, impotent to 
move in any direction, or to overawe the Mexican govern- 
ment by any demonstrative movement. 2d. In this de- 
fensive, shut-up position, they must remain for months, 
before reinforcements could arrive' sufficiently strong to 

' The brigade of Pierce did not arrive at Puebla till the 5th of August 
— See Scott's official despatch, (No. 34,) dated September ISth. 



216 NECESSITY FOR DELAY. 

authorize any offensive movement. 3d. The main body 
of the army of Santa Anna was yet unbroken, and at this 
period it u^ould have been his poHcy to leave the Ameri- 
can army to shut itself up in Mexico, while he fell, in 
succession, on the advancing bodies of new troops march- 
ing to reinforce Scott. In this, he would either have 
defeated them or have prevented their junction. Ath. Al- 
varez, with a division of four thousand men, was within 
striking distance of Puebla,^ and on the advance of Scott 
to Mexico would have taken possession of the post he 
left, and cut off all communication with his rear.^ In fine, 
it is only remarkable that the commander or his officers 
should have at all entertained the idea of advancing with 
so small a force. That persons in the United States 
should have thought their delay singular, only proved that 
they were very little acquainted with military affairs, and 
that they believed, that by some extraordinary decree of 
Heaven the army was rendered invulnerable to misfor- 
tune, and predestined to inevitable victory. It has, in- 
deed, realized such a destiny ; but only by science the 
most accomplished, by sagacity the most penetrating, and 
by valor the most indomitable. The children of destiny 
are first made such by the energy of their own character, 
and the superiority of their own minds. 

Such was the necessity, both civil and military, which 
constrained General Scott to restrain his desire to ad- 
vance, and maintain the army at Puebla. Nor was it 

» Mr. Kendall's letter, dated October 15th, 1847. 

" Let the reader recollect, that notwithstanding all the reinforcements 
which arrived between May and September, General Scott's communica- 
tions with Vera Cruz were cut off during the whole period for want of 
troops to keep them open 1 



SCOTT TvEINFORCED. 217 

unemployed or useless delay. Whatever gives an army 
discipline gives it strength. More than thirty years pre- 
viou.s, Scott had, in the camp at Buffalo, availed himself of 
such an opportunity to drill and discipline the men whose 
valor and firmness had withstood the veteran troops of 
Great Britain on the fields of Chippewa and Niagara. 
Such experience was not lost. The divisions of Worth, 
Twiggs, and Quitman, were drawn out and constantly 
drilled on the plains bordering Puebla, till their discipline 
was complete.* Thus was perfected the only remaining 
element which was necessary to give an unexampled suc- 
cess to the arms of the United States in tlie republic of 
Mexico. 

In the mean while, the cabinet at Washington had be- 
come awakened to the necessity of reinforcing the army 
of Scott, left alone in the midst of hostile millions. Con- 
gress had authorized the enlistment of ten new regiments, 
and the business of recruiting was rapidly carried on. 
Recruiting-stations were established in the principal inte- 
rior towns of the United States, and the spirit of adven- 
ture, the high pay, and the bounty lands so liberally 
offered by the government, were rapidly filling the ex- 
hausted ranks of the army. New volunteer regiments 
were called out ; but this resource was not taken till too 
late to supply the places of the levy of 1846, whose time 
expired in May. General Scott had been obliged to dis- 
charge the portion of these connected with his army, at 
Jalapa. The want of foresight in not preparing for this 
event was the real reason why the army of Scott was, 



' Kendall's letter, of October 15th, 1847. 



218 M'INTOSH ADVANCES. 

numerically, too small to advance, writhout hazard, at once 
from Puebla. 

Soon after Scott arrived at that place the garrison of 
Jalapa was broken up, the army not being strong enough 
to spare such a detachment. Perote was made a depot, 
and the line of communication was left without defence 
— one of the few examples of a general trusting to the 
innate energies of his army, leaving it alone in an enemy's 
country, without any provision for retreat. This measure 
was, however, one of necessity ; for, taking the received 
maxims of war as the rule, the garrisons alone necessary 
to keep open the line, would have consumed the entire 
army ! 

On the 5th of May a large train, under the command 
of Colonel M'Intosh, left Vera Cruz for the army. It 
consisted of one hundred and thirty-two wagons, six hun- 
dred pack-mules, and about eight hundred men. This 
corps was attacked by a strong body of guerillas at Passo 
de Ovejas. The guerillas were partially successful, 
although the detachment made good its defence. The 
Americans lost thirty men, killed and wounded, thirty-five 
wagons, and two hundred mules. This was a serious 
check ; but was soon remedied by new reinforcements. 
On the 10th of May General Cadwallader marched to the 
aid of M'Intosh with six hundred men, from Vera Cruz, 
composed chiefly of the new regiment of voltigeurs, ac- 
companied with six howitzers. A junction was made, 
and the detachment, now fourteen hundred strong, with 
its train, moved on, to join as soon as possible the main 
army. 

On the 17th of May General Pillow left Vera Cruz 
with another detachment of about one thousand men. 



PIERCE JOINS THE ARMY. 219 

Al a subsequent period General Pierce was also sent for- 
ward, with about two thousand five hundred. Thus, by 
successive additions of new recruits, the government was 
able, after two months' delay, to increase the army of 
General Scott to a number short of eleven thousand avail- 
able men. With this number, in the early part of August, 
the army moved to the conquest of Mexico — the capital of 
the Spanish Aztec nation ! Its progress, its victories, its 
heroic conduct, and its wonderful achievements, we must 
now pursue, record, and, as far as possible, spread out, 
for the admiration of all true lovers of the great and 
heroic in martial achievement. 



CHAPTER XL 

Strength of the Army. — Reinforcements. — Divisions of the Army. — 
March from Puebla. — Hospitals of Puebla. — Volcano of Popocatapetl. — 
Pass of Rio Frio.— View of Mexico. — Valley of Mexico.— Lakes. — 
Inundations. — Topography of the Valley. — Position of the Army on 
the 13th of August.— Reconnaissance of the Rifles. — El Penon. — 
Mexicalcingo. — Turning of Lake Chalco. — March to San Augustine. — 
Skirmish at Bueua Vista. — Concentration. — Position of the Army on 
the 18th. 

We have already said that Scott's army in Puebla, on 
the 1st day of June, 1847, did not exceed five thousand 
(effectives, — that is, capable of marching and fighting. 
From Vera Cruz to Puebla, the road had been strewed 
with the sick, or languishing — the convalescent invalids, 
or the wounded, — who had been left in depots or were in 
the moveable hospitals of the army. Here we should 
recollect, and consider carefully, the wide and important 
difference which exists between a mere detachment of an 
army, or light division moving rapidly through a country 
for temporary purposes, and a regularly organized army, 
equipped to remain in the midst of a hostile nation, and, 
therefore, obliged to supply all its own wants. The 
former being small, and moving rapidly for a short time, 
either has no sick and wounded, or depends upon trans- 
porting them in wagons or leaving them to the private 
kindness of the inhabitants of the country. On the 
other hand, a regularly organized army, subsisting in the 

heart of an enemy's country, must provide itself with 
t2 



222 CONDITION OF THE ARMY. 

hospitals and depots, either moveable or stationary ; and 
must there leave all the provisions, guards, men, and 
equipments, which are necessary to maintain these depots, 
and secure their safety and comfort. If these are 
stationary in towns, (as they should be,) then garrisons 
must be left with them. If moveable, from camp to 
camp, they require a large number of wagons, a nu- 
merous body of teamsters, and a yet more numerous 
body of attendants. In either case, it is not too high 
an estimate to say, that an invading army, advanced 
within the territory of a hostile country, requires at 
least one-fourth of its original number to be enrolled as 
non-comhatants. A part of these will be sick, a part 
wounded, and a large part engaged as attendants, con- 
voys, or garrisons. If Scott had left Jalapa, then, with 
eight thousand effective men, he could not have had more 
than six thousand with which to leave Puebla. But 
far worse than this was the actual fact. The inhospita- 
ble climate of Mexico did not cease its ravages with the 
lowlands of the coast. The record of disease in the 
army has never been fully unfolded. In the more un- 
healthy positions on the Rio Grande, at Vera Cruz, 
Tampico, Perote,^ and many other places — even at 
Puebla — disease pursued the troops, and in the space of 
one year hurried thousands to the grave. Hundreds and 
thousands of the volunteer regiments also disappeared 
from the army, from the effects of disease, which caused 
their discharge, from voluntary absences, and from being 
cut off in small parties. Nor was this all. Desertions 



' The names were recently published of no less than seven hundred 
men, who died in a few months at Perote. 



STRENGTH OF THE ARM». 223 

from the regular army were frequent. No less than 
seventeen hundred were reported in a little more than a 
year.^ 

Such were the causes which rapidly diminished the 
number of effective troops in the field ; but which 
could not be properly estimated by those who looked 
only to the muster-rolls at Washington. 

Three different bodies of reinforcements had left 
Vera Cruz for Puebla, and reached there in time for the 
march on Mexico. With these, and the garrison of 
Jalapa, the army of Scott, in the beginning of August, 
may be thus enumerated : 

Army on the 6th day of August, 1847. 

Scott's forces at Puebla, (including all,) . 7,000 

Cadwallader's Brigade, .... 1,400 

Pillow's " .... 1,800 

Pierce's Corps " .... 2,409 

Garrison of Puebla, under Colonel Childs . 1,400 



Total arrived at Puebla, . . . .14,009 
Deduct from this. Garrison of Puebla, 
with the sick in hospitals. 



3,261 



Total marched from Puebla, , .' . 10,738 

Nor was the want of men the only difficulty with the 
troops, in preparing for its march. Although the gov- 
ernment (Congress) had, in the aggregate, provided 
amply for the troops ; yet the difficulty of transmitting 
funds to distant posts, in a foreign country, without the 

* Their names were recorded in the Police Gazette. 



224 WANT OF FUNDS. 

aid of mercantile arrangements, was so great, that the 
officers of the different departments, and of the hne, 
were frequently much embarrassed for funds. The 
merchants of Puebla, and of Mexico generally, deal 
almost altogether with England and France. They 
were willing to buy drafts on those countries, but not on 
our own. The consequence was, that the officers of 
ihe quartermaster's and commissary's departments, had 
often to get money discounted at a heavy rate, for the 
purchase of such supplies, in the country, as were 
needed at the moment. 

The following paragraph is from a letter written on the 
6th of August, at Puebla : 

" General Pierce came up to-day with his command, 
bringing eighty-five thousand dollars in drafts, but not 
one cent in money. The disappointment and vexation, 
both of the general-in-chief, and the quartermaster's and 
commissary's departments, is great in the extreme, and 
how they are to get along, is with them an unsolved 
problem. The paymaster's department is no better off ; 
and the only way officers can get along to provide them- 
selves with the necessaries of life, is to first procure a 
draft on one of the cities of our Union from the pay- 
master, and then have it shaved at the rate of twenty- 
five or thirty per cent, from its face. This is but a faint 
and imperfect sketch of the financial operations of our 
army."^ 

This was a consequence of one of the errors of the 
campaign, — not on the part of the army, or its com- 
mander, but in the War Department. This error was, 

' Letter to the St. Louis Republican. 



COUNCIL OF WAR. 225 

in leaving the army too tveak to maintain its com?nunida~ 
tions. It is a rule of common sense, not less than of 
the military art, that at every step made by the army, 
it should leave such defences and depots in its rear, that 
there may always be a direct communication with its 
source of supply at home. When the army of Scott 
had arrived at Jalapa, the volunteer corps enrolled in 
May and June, 1846, began to disappear. Their places 
were not supplied till months afterwards. Thus the 
army moved on towards Mexico, without being able to 
keep open its communications. In fact, many places, 
such as the National Bridge, which it was important to 
defend, were abandoned. The army was too weak to 
move forward and leave garrisons behind. The conse- 
quence of this condition of things was an inconvenient 
derangement in the transmission of funds. Specie could 
only be carried safely with the large trains ; while drafts 
on the government treasuries in the towns of the United 
States were at a discount in Mexico. Such was the state 
of the military chest, when it was determined to march 
from Puebla to Mexico. 

On the 5th of August a council of war was held, at 
which the heads of the different divisions and brigades 
were present ; among whom were Major-Generals Worth, 
Quitman, and Pillow, with Brigadiers Twiggs, Shields, 
and Cadwallader. General Pierce did not arrive till next 
day. The general-in-chief (Scott) then laid down dis- 
tinctly the plan of operations, the routes, and the mode, 
by which he proposed to reach, attack, and capture 
the city of Mexico and its defences. Subsequent events 
proved how ably and clearly these dispositions were 
made. 

15 



22Q 



COUNCIL OF WAR. 



We have said that Scott left Puebla with 10,738 men,^ 
and that 3,261 were left in garrison and in hospitals. Of 
the last, the largest part were in the hospital, where were 
at one time no less than nineteen hundred sick ! Of these, 
seven hundred found their graves at Puebla. Leaving 
this large body of sick with a very moderate garrison, 
under Col. Childs, the army commenced its march for the 
valley of Mexico on the 7th of August. 

The army, under the directions of the general-in-chief, 
was arranged in four divisions, with a cavalry brigade. 
The divisions comprehended a large number of regiments, 
but their numbers were reduced one-half. Some of them 
were the mere skeletons of what they should be, under 
the regular organization. 

The divisions were very nearly as follows : 



■Cavalry Brigade 
Col. Harney 



1st Division, 
Gen. Worth. 



de,^ 



1st Dragoons, Capt. Kearney, 
2d do. Major Sumner, 
3d do. Capt. McReynolds- 



J 



Parts. 



2d Division, 
Gen. Twiggs. 



1st Brigade, 
Col. Garland. 



2d Brigade, 
Col. Clarke. 



1st Brigade, 
Gen. Smith. 



2d Brigade, 
Col. Riley. 



r 2d Regiment Artillery. 
1 3d do. do. 

j 4th do. Infantry. 
1_ Duncan's Field Battery. 
i 5th Infantry. 
I 6th do. ^ 
( 8th do. 

r Rifle Regiment. 
J 1st Artillery. 
J 3d Infantry. 
L Taylor's Battery. 
C 4th Artillery. 
< 1st Infantry. 
( 7th do. 



» Scott's Official Report, No. 34. 



DIVISIONS FOR THE MARCH 



227 



3d Division, 
Gen. Pillow. 



4th Division, 
Gen. Quitman. 



1st Brigade, 
Gen. Cadwallader. 

2d Brigade, 
Gen. Pierce. 



i 



1st Brigade, 
Gen. Shields. 

2d Bri grade. 



' Voltigeurs. 

11th Infantry. 
' 14th do. 
9th Infantry. 

12th do. 

16th do. 

S. Carolina Volunteers. 
N. York Volunteers. 
2d Penn. do. 
Detachment of U. S. Mar. 



This organization apparently gives twenty regiments, 
and parts of five others. Had these regiments been full, 
up to their legal number, they would have contained 
twenty thousand men, a regiment, when completely or- 
ganized, having a thousand. The whole army, however, 
contained but little more than half that number. The 
regiments, therefore, averaged but five hundred, and, in 
fact, some of them had but three hundred. 

In order that the different corps should not be thrown 
together, and that the troops might move easily, the divis- 
ions took up their line of march on different days, but in 
such a manner that they might reinforce each other at 
four hours' notice. As it was known that there was no 
large Mexican army immediately in front, no evil could 
arise from this mode of march. 

Accordingly on the 7th the second division, under Gen- 
eral Twiggs, commenced its march, preceded by the 
brigade of cavalry under Harney. On the 8th, Quitman's 
division of volunteers moved ; on the 9th the first division, 
under Worth ; on the 10th the third division, under Pil- 
low.^ General Scott, the commander, joined and contin- 
ued with the leading division. 



'Scott's Official Report, No. 31, August 19th, 1847. 



228 ROUTE OF THE TROOPS. 

The army was now under full way, marching on to 
that singular capital of that singular nation, whose ancient 
and whose modern civilization has made a phenomenon in 
the history of society. The fragments of mutation and 
revolution lay scattered in its path — all was new and 
strange ; yet, unmoved by these associations, and undi- 
verted by these novelties, it marched steadily on to fulfil 
what was apparently the decree of destiny. 

The road on which the troops marched was the great 
stage-travelled route from Vera Cruz to Mexico, through 
Puebla. The route travelled by Cortez, in his conquest, 
after diverging to the right a little south of Perote, here 
crossed the modern road and passed to the left through 
Cholula, and round tlie base of Popocatapetl, and finally 
rejoined the present road, near Lake Chalco. Cortez, no 
doubt, pursued the common way at that time, espec iaily 
as Cholula was then a magnificent city. The modern 
road has been made to suit the modern relations of society 
and the new growth of towns. Nearly at right angles to 
the road from Vera Cruz, and west of the range of the 
Cordilleras, lies the road from Mexico to Acapulco on the 
Pacific. Near the city of Mexico, are the lakes of Chalco 
and Xachimilco. On tliis road to Acapulco is the village 
of San Augustine, at which the American army ultiaialel)'' 
arrived,. previous to the battles of Mexico. 

On the morning of the 7th, Twiggs' division passed 
out of Puebla, and took its way through a beautiful, 
rolling country, wliere gardens suppUed the city with 
fruits and vegetables. 'I'he road was ascending, and 
crossed, before it entered the city of Mexico, the Anahuac 
range of the Cordilleras, the most magnificent portion of 
that chain of mountains whicli extends from Cape Horn 



NATURAL SCENERY. 229 

lo the Arties — and from whose sky-crested summits the 
eye of fancy might extend its uninterrupted vision from 
the Atlantic to the Pacific, and call up, in bright and 
long array, the nations, the arts, and the triumphs of 
victorious science, to be spread over all this continent, in 
the ages of the deep and distant future ! Many miles to 
the left arose the snow-topped Popocatapetl, whose ven- 
erable summit was eighteen thousand feet in the air ; 
three thousand feet above the point where ice and snow 
dwell in perpetual congelation ! A little further, arose 
the twin summit of Iztac-cithuatl, whose icy top looks 
over the earth in the same cold and isolated glory. 
Thirty miles from the road, as these were, yet in the 
clear atmosphere of this elevated plain they seemed 
near by, and their snows chilled the air. Thus amidst 
the r«ins of Cholula and Tlascala, on either side, and in 
full view of these volcanic monuments to the grandeur 
of nature, the army marched on. The road gradually 
ascended through mountain scenery, which seemed to 
befit rather the north of New England then the region 
of the tropics. Thick woods would now and then cover 
the hills, while here and there httle lakes were inter- 
spersed in deep valleys. The thirst of the soldier was 
relieved by the coldness of their waters, and his weari- 
ness was almost forgotten in the beauty and sublimity of 
surrounding nature. At length, on the third day, they 
reached the pass of Rio Frio. They left Puebla, seven 
thousand two hundred feet above the ocean, and were 
now ten thousand one hundred and twenty ; havino- 
gradually ascended three thousand feet in forty-eight 
miles, and arrived in the midst of the Anahuac range of 
the Cordilleras, at a point forty-five miles distant from 
u 



230 ARMY REACHES RIO FRIO. 

the city of Mexico.^ Rio Frio, says an officer, is " a 
little stream pouring down from the Snow mountains, of 
icy coldness and crystal purity."^ The mountains from 
which it runs are composed of porphyritic rocks, and 
their highest summits, like that of Popocatapetl, are 
ancient volcanoes. 

At this point the army had anticipated resistance, and 
the position was favorable to defence. Being in the 
midst of the mountains, they here closed down on both 
sides of the road, so as completely to overhang and en- 
filade it. Signs of preparation were, indeed, found in 
temporary parapets, and timber felled. The intention, 
however, of defending this point had been abandoned. 
It was supposed that General Valencia, who commanded 
the division of the north, was stationed here. If so, he 
had retreated towards the capital. , 

A march of a few miles further, and the army passed 
over the highest crest of the mountains ; and one of the 
most splendid scenes of the world opened upon the eyes 
of the weary soldiers. 

It is thus described by an officer of the Rifles.^ 

" When all were pretty nearly worn out, a sudden 
turn in the road brought 'to our view a sight which none 
can ever forget. The whole vast plain of Mexico was 
before us. The coldness of the air, which was most 
sensibly felt at this great height — our fatigue and danger^ 
were forgotten, and our eyes were the only sense that 
thought of enjoyment. Mexico, with its lofty steeple* 



' Stealey's Map of the Roads from Vera Cruz to Mexica 

* Letter to the New York Courier, dated August 31st> 
' Letter to the New York Courier. 



VIEW OF MEXICO. 231 

and its checkered domes — its bright reality, and ils former 
fame — its modern splendor, and its ancient magnificence, 
was before us ; while around on every side its tliousand 
lakes seemed like silver stars on a velvet mantle." 

With this description we may compare another by an 
English officer, who seems to have been equally en- 
raptured with the same view. " From an eminence, 
(says Captain Lyon,) we came suddenly in sight of the 
great valley of Mexico, with its beautiful city appearing 
in the centre, surrounded by diverging shady paseos, 
bright fields, and picturesque haciendas. The great 
lake Tezcuco lay immediately beyond it, shaded by a 
low floating cloud of exhalations from its surface, which 
hid from our view the bases of the volcanoes of Popoca- 
tapetl and Iztac-cithuatl — while their snowy summits, 
brightly glowing beneath the direct rays of the sun, 
which but partially illumined the plains, gave a delight- 
fully novel appearance to the whole scene before me. 
I was, li#wever, at this distance, disappointed as to the 
size of Mexico ; but its lively whiteness and freedom 
from smoke — the magnitude of the churches, and the 
extreme regularity of its structure, gave it an ap- 
pearance which can never be seen in a European city, 
and declare it unique — perhaps unequalled in its kind.'" 

Thus suddenly did the army burst upon this extra- 
ordinary view — a view as remarkable for its historical 
associations, as for the grandeur of ils natural elements, — 
a scene too, which must forever connect this army with 



' Captain Lyon's Journal of a Residence and Tour in the Republic ol' 
Mexico 



232 DESCRIPTION OF THE VALLEY. 

the memory of the past, and the developments of the 
future. 

I'here must have been some, also, in that martial array, 
who turned their thoughts from the scenes of war, to 
contemplate here some of the most singular features of 
the natural world. The valley of Mexico is one of the 
most extraordinary regions of the earth. It is a basin 
enclosed by a wall of porphyrilic mountains. Its length, 
north and south, is about sixty miles, and its breadth 
(east and west) about forty miles. ^ It is really formed 
by a separation (south of the city of Mexico) of the 
great chain of the Cordilleras into two chains — one 
bending east and the other west, which again unite 
north of the city. The result of this conformation is to 
leave a basin, surrounded by the walls of the mountain. 
In this basin, " all the water furnished by the sur- 
rounding Cordilleras is collected. No stream issues 
from it excepting the brook of Tequisquiac, which joins 
the Rio de Tula. The lakes rise by stagey in pro- 
portion to their distance from its centre, or in other 
words, from the site of the capital. Next to the lake of 
Tezcuco, Mexico is the least elevated point of the val- 
ley ; the Plaza Mayor, or Great Square, being only one 
foot and one inch higher than the mean level of this 
lake, which is eleven and three-fourths feet lower than 
that of San Christobal. Zumpongo, which is the most 
northern, is 29,-Vo'o inches higher than the surface of 
Tezcuco ; while that of Chalco, at the southern ex- 
tremity, is only 3yVA ^^^t more elevated then the Great 
Square of Mexico."'^ 

'■ See Stealey's Maps of the Roads from Vera Cruz to Mexico. 
' Humboldt's New Spain. 



SITUATION OF THE CITY. 233 

In consequence of this peculiarity, the city has, for a 
long series of ages, been exposed to inundations. Five 
immense floods have occurred since the Spanish inva- 
sion. Immense works have been constructed at dif- 
ferent times to avoid this danger. One of these is the 
great cut, planned by Enrico Martinez, which connects 
the Rio de Suautillon with the Rio Tula, and thus 
carries off the lake of Zumpongo.^ Around the same 
lake are stone dikes. In the south, dikes and sluices 
have been formed round Lakes Chalco and Xochimilco, 
by which they are prevented from overflowing. By 
means like these, the city of Mexico is prevented from 
inundation, and is no longer, as it seems to have been 
in the time of Cortez, an island in a lake. The charac- 
ter of the country remains unchanged — and it is yet a 
marshy valley, in a basin of the Cordilleras, spotted with 
lakes and filled with volcanic remains. On some of 
the causeways, there is still a continuous body of water 
for miles from the city — while on others, the ground is 
marshy, but sometimes cultivated. 

On the 10th, the division of Twiggs encamped at the 
base of the mountain,^ and at this, the enemy's scouts 
began to be seen on all sides. On the 11th, this di- 
vision reached Ayotla, only fifteen miles by the National 
Road from Mexico, and waited for the other divisions to 
come up. 

At this point, a survey of the valley of Mexico showed 

* This was thought, by Humboldt, to be one of the most gigantic 
liydraulie operations executed by man. Its length is 67,537 feet, the 
greatest depth 197, and its greatest breadth 361. 

* Letter to the New York Courier. 

u2 



234 VIEW OF THE COUNTRY. 

the lake of Tezcuco directly in front of the road ; and 
at the lower end, and about half way to Mexico, (seven 
miles,) on the left of the road, is El Penon, a fortified 
mountain. Directly west of that, at the upper end of 
Lake Xochimilco, and about five miles south of Mexico, 
is Mexicalcingo, another fortified point. Directly south 
and west of Ayotla, lies the lake of Chalco, and the lake 
of Xochimilco. Entirely west of these again, and run- 
ning from the city of Mexico, nearly at right angles with 
the National Road, lies the road to Acapulco, leading west 
from Mexico to the Pacific. On this last road lies-San 
Augustine, the general depot of the army in its sub- 
sequent operations. Between San Augustine and the 
city of Mexico, and on or near the Acapulco road, lie in 
succession, San Antonia, Contreras, and Churubusco, 
points where successive engagements took place. Con- 
treras is about four miles nearly northwest of San Au- 
gustine, on a road leading through San Angel to the 
Tacubaya causeway. Churubusco is on the Aca- 
pulco road, near a canal, at the crossing of which was 
a tete du pofit, (bridge-head.) 

A rapid coup d'oeil (birds-eye view) of the topography 
of the valley, and the position of the army on the 13th of 
August, will show Twiggs's division at Ayotla, east of 
Lake Chalco ; Worth's division near the village of 
Chalco, at the south end of the lake, and the divisions 
of Pillow and Quitman intermediate. In front, the great 
lake of Tezcuco, and on the left. Lake Chalco. The 
city of Mexico lay on the side of Lake Tezcuco, and 
fifteen miles, by the road from Ayotla, approached 
through the lakes and marshes by great causeways. 

An attentive examination shows, that on the south and 



THE COUNTRY EXAMINED. 235 

west, there are three great roads which respectively enter 
Mexico by causeways. The first, is the Vera Cruz or 
National Road, on which the army now was, and which 
passed by El Penon, immediately in front, and for miles 
on a narrow causeway, built on the shoals of the lake. 
The second was the Acapulco road, which lay directly 
across Lake Chalco, from where the army now was, and 
proceeded through San Augustine and San Antonia, by a 
causeway to the city. The third was the Toluca road, 
passing into Mexico by the Tacubaya causeway, still 
further to the west. 

The problem now presented to the commander-in- 
chief was, by which of these roads shall the army at- 
tempt its passage into the city ? The solution of this 
question required a close reconnaissance, and an accurate 
survey, if possible, of the position and defences of the 
enemy. 

On the 12th of August, the Rifle regiment, with three 
companies of cavalry, were pushed forward to recon- 
noitre El Penon} This work was successfully per- 
formed, and the work pronounced impracticable, without 
immense loss, which the commander of the army thought 
unnecessary to the object. The reconnoitring party 
(rifles and dragoons) continued their search to the left, in 
order to find a way of easier approach to the city. At 
about five miles from Mexico, they were arrested by 
coming suddenly upon five strong batteries commanding 
the road. This was the post of Mexicalcingo, before 
described, at the head of Lake Xochimilco. The party 
(composed of about four hundred men) soon counter- 

* Letter of an officer to the New York Courier. 



236 EL PENON EXAMINED. 

marched, and found El Penon, with its bristUng batteries, 
immediately between them and the camp of General 
Twiggs. For some unknown reason, they were not at- 
tacked ; and after a rapid march, arrived in camp about 
midnight. General Scott pronounced this " the boldest 
reconnaissance of the war." 

El Penon, which had been thus reconnoitred, is a 
rocky hill, which " completely enfilades and commands 
the National Road, and had been fortified and repaired 
with the greatest care by Santa Anna. One side was 
inaccessible by nature, the rest had been made so by 
art. Batteries, in all mounting fifty-one guns of dif- 
ferent calibres, had been placed on its sides, and a deep 
ditch, twenty-four feet wide and ten feet deep, had 
been cut, connecting the parts already surrounded by 
marshes."^ From the Penon to the city, was a cause- 
way, surrounded by water. This position could not 
be turned, and therefore must be carried by assault. 
Against this, General Scott decided on grounds of hu- 
manity. 

In his report of the 19th of August, 1847, he thus 
writes : 

" This mound, close to the National Road, commands 
the principal approach to the city from the east. No 
doubt it might have been carried, but at a great and dis- 
proportionate loss, and I was anxious to spare the lives of 
this gallant army for a general battle, which I knew we 
had to win before capturing the city, or obtaining the 
great object of the campaign — a just and honorable 
peace." 

' Letter to the New York Courier. 



ARMY TURNS THE PENON. 237 

Of the pass, by Mexicalcingo, the general writes, and 
thus discloses the plan which was ultimately adopted. 

" It might have been easy (masking the Penon) to 
force the passage ; but on the other side of the bridge 
we should have found ourselves, four miles from this 
road, on a narrow causeway, flanked to the right and left 
by water, or boggy grounds. These difficulties closely 
viewed, threw me back upon the project long entertained, 
of turning the strong eastern defences of the city, by 
passing around south of Lakes Chalco and Xochitnilco, at 
the foot of the hills and mountains, so as to reach San 
Augustine, and hence to manoeuvre on hard, though much 
broken ground, to the south and southwest of the capital, 
which had been more or less under our view since the 
10th inst."^ 

El Penon, being on the common and only good road 
from Puebla to Mexico, and being likewise an almost 
impregnable position, General Santa Anna had judged 
correctly and wisely in placing there his principal fortifi- 
cation. The fortress of Mexicalcingo, being likewise a 
strong one, and, if taken, leaving the American army on 
a narrow causeway, easily defensible, the Mexican gen- 
eral had apparently provided for every possible passage 
between the Lake Chalco and the Lake Tezcuco. This 
was the only way in which there was a regular and toler- 
able road from Puebla to Mexico. On this the American 
army had advanced, and the vanguard had actually 
reached Ayotla, several miles in front of the south end 
of Chalco. The measures of the Mexican general were, 



1 General Scott's Official Report, No. 31, dated August 19th. 



238 GOES ROUND CHALCO. 

therefore, judiciously taken, and at this time promised, if 
any defence could avail, to be successful. 

The real question in military science at this time was, 
could the Lake Chalco be turned ? If it could, did the 
new route present a better or safer way ? The reconnais- 
sances made, and the information of scouts, determined 
the fact that a passage existed round the south end of 
Lake Chalco which might be made practicable, and by 
which the army would be brought on to the Acapulco 
road, and advance to the city on a route less defended, 
and affording greater advantages in fighting. This route, 
if practicable, Scott had contemplated taking, and now at 
once put the army in motion for that purpose. 

The order of march was reversed, and Worth's di- 
vision, which was in the rear at Chalco, was now in 
advance, marching round the south end of Lake Chalco, 
and cutting their way to San Augustine. On the 15th 
the several divisions took up their line of march, and 
Worth's corps proceeded steadily on to the fortified posi- 
tion of San Antonia. " The road lay along the base of a 
high range of mountains, at times crossing rocky spurs of 
the mountains, or along the margin of the lake, on very 
narrow causeways very much cut up. The hills on the 
left were often precipitous, and a few sharp-shooters might 
have annoyed us exceedingly by their fire, and a few en- 
terprising men might have blocked up the road completely 
by rolhng down rocks, and yet they attempted it but once ; 
a few shot soon dislodged them, and two or three hours' 
work cleared the road."^ ^ 

On the 17th the head of General Worth's division 

' Letter from an officer, published in the Washington Union. 



WORTH REACHES SAN AUGUSTINE. 239 

reached San Augustine, and in a few hours after the other 
divisions were within striking distance. The march 
round the lake to San Augustine was twenty-seven miles, 
by a route deemed by the Mexicans impracticable ; and 
on the 18th all the several corps were in position in the 
neighborhood of that post.' 

Twiggs's division left Ayotla on the 16th with the train, 
the brigade of General Smith forming the rearguard. As 
the train was passing the little village of Buena Vista a 
Mexican division appeared in sight, attempting to cross 
the road and cut the train off. Here a skirmish ensued, 
which is thus described by an officer : 

" On our left were large fields of half-grown barley, 
through which was seen advancing, in splendid order, the 
enemy's column. It was the most splendid sight I had 
ever seen. The yellow cloaks, red caps and jackets of 
the lancers, and the bright blue and white uniforms of the 
infantry, were most beautifully contrasted with the green 
of the barley-field. Our line of battle was soon formed, 
and we deployed through the grain to turn their left and 
cut them off from the mountains. A few shots, however, 
from the battery, soon showed them that they were ob- 
served, and countermarching in haste, they left their dead 
on the field. Thus ended our fight at Buena Vista. That 
night we stayed at Chalco."^ 

The train continued to move on, by roads over which 
it was almost impossible to drag the wagons. On the 
18th it arrived in sight of the main army, which had now 
taken possession of San Augustine. 



' Scott's Official Report, dated the 19th. 

' Letter from an ofBcer, in the New York Courier. 



240 ARMY IN POSITION. 

The army was now concentrated, the different divisions 
in sight of one another, and the arrangements made for 
final operations. On the 13th it was on the Puebla road 
on the east side of Lake Chalco, advancing on El Penon. 
On the 18th it was on the Acapulco road, near San Au- 
gustine, nine miles from the city of Mexico. The change 
was made in good order, and the ground to operate on 
was far better, and the defences in front less. The city 
of the Spanish-Aztecs was now within the grasp of the 
arms of the United States, predestined, in the convictions 
of the people, to be invincible wherever they should be 
carried. A conviction like this, existing in ages past, 
alike in the minds of Roman, Mohammedan, and Puritan, 
often makes the destiny which it affirms and courts. 
Asserted in the. cause of liberty and justice, it would 
subdue a world to the civilization of Christianity. In 
any other cause, its predestined glory may fade before a 
darker fate. 



LINES OF DEFENCE. 241 



CHAPTER XII. 

Mexican Line of Defence. — Position of the American and Mexican Ar- 
mies. — Action of the 19th. — Position in the Hamlet of Contreras. — Po- 
' sition of General Scott. — Arrangements for the Battle. — Distribution of 
the American and Mexican Forces. — Battle of Contreras. — Rout of the 
Mexicans. — Surrender of Mexican Generals. — Recapture of the Buena 
Vista Gun.s. — Scott's Arrangements. — Evacuation of San Antonia. — 
Storm of the Tete du Pont. — Battle of Churubusco. — Defeat of the 
Mexicans. — Loss. — Truce. 

The Mexican plan of defence for the city of Mexico 
seems to have contemplated two lines -of defence — an ex- 
terior and interior one. The exterior was composed of a 
line of forts and fortified eminences. The strongest was 
El Penon, on the National Road, completely command- 
ing it, near the edge of Lake Tezcuco. This fortress, as 
we have already stated, was pronounced impracticable 
without immense loss. It contained fifty-one guns, dis- 
posed in several different batteries, with infantry breast- 
works, and the whole surrounded by a deep ditch con- 
necting the marshes and waters about it. The next fort 
of this class was at M-exicalcingo, at the upper end of 
Lake Xochimilco, and commanding a narrow causeway to 
ihe city. This, also, was defended with batteries and 
infantry breastworks. The next position was the Bridge 
OF Churubusco, a tete du pont at the crossing of a canal, 
armed also with cannon, on the Acapulco road. The 
next, but to the west, and front of this, was the Hill of 
Contreras, thoroughly armed with batteries and breast- 




^^i'liialpa 






DESCRIPTION OF THE DEFENCES. 243 

works. In the route, and still nearer to the city, was the 
Hill of Chapultepec, on which was the Military Col- 
lege. This was at the point where the mountains ap- 
proached the city. It was a strong position and well 
armed .^ It is plain, from an examination of the map, that 
these positions really commanded all the practicable passes 
to the city on the whole semicircle, extending round from 
Lake Tezcuco in the east to where the mountains come 
near the city on the west. These fortifications were armed 
with near one hundred pieces of cannon, while the ground 
between them was either marshy, or covered with volcanic 
remains, sharp and abrupt, rendering it almost impassable 
even for footmen. Behind this line of exterior defences 
General Valencia, with 6,000 of the best troops of the 
Mexican army, was to manoeuvre, and reinforce any point 
which might be exposed to attack. 

The interior line seems to have been only the forts, 
and canals or ditches of the city itself. These, however, 
were by no means weak. The city was approached only 
by causeways. Canals and ditches surrounded it in va- 
rious directions, and at the gateways were garitas, or 
small forts, constructed at the angles of the streets or en- 
trances of the causeways, eight in number.^ These de- 
fences of the city were also mounted with a large number 
of cannon. This interior line, however, was evidently 
weaker than the exterior one. These various defences 
were well calculated to protect the city against any thing 
less than a large army and protracted siege, had the energy 



' This statement corresponds in substance with one made by Captaim 
Xiee of the engineers. 

° See Scott's Official Report. 



244 POSITION OF THE ARMY. 

of the men, or the abihty of their officers, corresponded 
with the natural strength of the positions. This, however, 
was not the case. Whether it be a superior strength, in- 
nate in the natural constitutions of the inhabitants of the 
northern temperate zone, or whether it be what is more 
than equivalent to strength, a higher and better education, 
it is certain that the arms of England and the United 
States have exhibited a great superiority over those of 
more southern nations — a superiority, whose final result 
on the dominion and civilization of the world is yet to be 
made known by the events of futurity. 

On the I8lh of August, the position of the armies, at 
night, was in the order following, viz. : Worth's division 
had, during the day, advanced from San Augustine in the 
direction of San Antonia, whose batteries were brought 
to bear on his troops, and the first shot killed Captain 
Thornton, a brave but unfortunate officer of the 2d dra- 
goons.^ The cavalry had been thrown in front to recon- 
noitre. The village proved to be strongly fortified, and 
a bold reconnaissance made by Captain Mason of the en- 
gineers, accompanied by Lieutenants Stevens and Tower, 
determined that this point could only be approached by 
the front, over a narrow causeway of great length, flanked 
with wet ditches of great depth.^ Worth was ordered not 
to attack, but to threaten and mask the place. On the 
left of the road here, extending west, was an immense 
field of volcanic rocks and lava, called pedregal, and on 
the east it was wet ai\d boggy.^ This pedregal was 



' Scott's Official Report. 
/ « Official Report. 

* Letter of an officer iu the Washington Union. 



PACE OF THE COUNTRY. 245 

thrown up in sharp rocks and broken pieces, in such a 
nnanner, that the Mexican officers supposed it to be im- 
passable. It extended to the mountains, five miles to the 
left. That night Worth made the headquarters of his 
division at a hacienda on the road, near Antonia, and 
within reach of the enemy's guns. 

On the same night the division of Twiggs slept in a 
little village, in sight of Worth's corps.^ The divisions 
of Pillow and Quitman were near. 

On the same evening (the 18th) General Valencia, 
whose division had previously been held liable to march 
to any point, and whose troops were called " the flower" 
of the Mexican army, occupied the fortified intrenchments 
at the heights of Contreras, about five miles to the north- 
west of San Augustine.^ At the same time (evening of 
the 18th) General Rincon took command at Churubusco, 
whose fortifications were not then completed, but to finish 
which he immediately addressed himself.^ The garrison 
of that post appears to have been composed, according to 
the official report, of the battalions of national guards, 
called Independencia and 5r«t;o, which were subsequent- 
ly reinforced (19th and 20th) by different batteries of ar- 
tillery. 

At San Antonia was posted another Mexican division, 
reinforced on the morning of the 19lh, by the battalions 
of Hidalgo and Victoria. In the neighborhood of Con- 
treras and San Angel were other divisions of the enemy 
under Santa Anna. 



* Letter in the New York Courier and Enquirer. 

* Official Report of General Salas. 

' Official Report of General Riacon. 
v2 



246 scott's plan of battle. 

This, then, was the situation of the two armies on the 
night of the 18th August. General Scott's headquarters 
were at San Augustine. The pass of San Antonia, in 
front, being strong and on a narrow causeway, the plan of 
attack adopted seems to have been this — to turn Antonia 
by taking the fort at Contreras, and thus be able to march 
round San Antonia ; or rather, to gain Coyhoacan on the 
San Angel, in the rear of San Antonia, and which was 
also but one mile from Churubusco. To do this, how- 
ever, required that a new road should be cut for artillery 
from San Augustine to Contreras, and that, when there, 
that position, strongly defended by artillery, should be 
stormed and taken. This was the plan now devised by 
the American general, and to be immediately executed by 
the army. 

On the morning of the 19th, all was animation in both 
armies. General Valencia was strongly posted at Con- 
treras ; Rincon was busy increasing the fortifications of 
Churubusco ; Santa Anna was reinforcing both Antonia 
and Contreras, with bodies of troops drawn from the, city ; 
and General Scott, having made a new reconnaissance to 
the left by Captain Lee, with Lieutenants Beauregard 
and Tower,^ now detached Pillow's division on the con- 
templated route to make a practicable road for heavy ar- 
tillery.^ 

Captain Lee of the engineers, having discovered a 
corps of observation in the direction taken by Pillow's 
division, Twiggs was advanced in front to cover the party 
cutting the road.^ This last division had now arrived at 



• Scott's Official Report, (No. 31,) 19th August, 1847. 
» Official Report. ' Idem. 



POSITION OP CONTRERAS, 247 

the village of San Juan, and were prepared for the severe 
labor of the next tw^o days. The men were ordered to 
put their blankets on their shoulders, their knapsacks in 
their wagons, and two days' bread and beef in their haver- 
sacks. At one p. M., they left San Juan, and proceeded 
forward, dragging with them Magruder's battery and the 
mountain howitzers.^ At two p. m., General Smith's 
brigade had arrived at the crest of a hill, from which Va- 
lencia, in his intrenchments, was plainly visible, and in 
the distance reinforcements marching to his assistance. 
These intrenchments of Valencia, at the hill of Contre- 
ras, had twenty-two pieces of artillery (mostly heavy) 
mounted in a battery commanding the difficult, broken, 
i-ocky ground, on which the American troops had to man- 
oeuvre. With this position the city of Mexico was con- 
nected, by an excellent road beyond the volcanic field, and 
by which it received, from time to time, great bodies of 
cavalry.^ 

At four p. M., General Scott took position on one of the 
eminences in front of Contreras, and found the brigades 
of P. F. Smith and Riley, (Twiggs' division,) supported 
by those of Pierce and Cadwallader, (Pillow's division,) 
picking their way over the broken ground in the enemy's 
front, and extending themselves towards the road which 
leads to the city. With great difficulty Captain Magru- 
der's battery of twelve and six pounders, and Lieut. Callen- 
der's battery of mountain howitzers and rockets, had been 
advanced to within range of the intrenchments.^ " The 

' Letter of an officer in the New York Courier. 
' Scott's Official Report. 
' Official Report. 



248 MANCEUVRING OF THE ARMIES. 

ground," says an officer, ''was the worst possible for ar- 
tillery ; covered with rocks, large and small, prickly-pear 
and cactus ; intersected by ditches filled with water, and 
lined with maguey plant, itself imperviable to cavalry ; 
and with patches of corn, which concealed the enemy's 
skirmishers while it impeded our passage. The artil- 
lery advanced but slowly, under a most murderous 
fire of grape, canister, and round shot, until it got into 
position."^ 

Our artillerymen could get but three pieces in battery, 
while the enemy had twenty-two, which, being mostly 
heavy, rendered our fire nugatory. " For two hours," 
says the same officer, " our troops stood the storm of iron 
and lead which hailed upon them, unmoved. At every 
discharge they laid flat down to avoid the storm, and then 
sprung up to serve the guns. At the end of that time, 
two of the guns were dismounted, and we (the rifles) 
badly hurt ; thirteen of the horses were killed and dis- 
abled, and fifteen of the cannoniers killed and wounded. 
The troops were then recalled." 

In the mean time the Mexican lancers had been repeat- 
edly repulsed. In another part of the field Riley's brigade 
sustained the enemy's fire, and were engaged in skirmish- 
ing. This action lasted for about three hours, during 
which time our troops maintained themselves under a 
heavy and severe fire, and successfully resisted tiie 
charges of large columns of cavalry. 

The day of the 19th, however, closed without any de- 
cisive results. The infantry, unsustained by either cav- 



* Letter of an officer in the New York Courier. 



CONTRERAS OCCUPIED. 249 

airy or artillery, could not charge in column without being 
mowed down by the Mexican batteries, nor in line, with- 
out being successfully assailed by the Mexican cavalry.^ 
To cut off the junction of further reinforcements from the 
capital (which till now arrived at will) the general-in- 
ciiief determined to occupy the hamlet and church of 
Contreras, on the road leading from the capital to Va- 
lencia's camp. Cadwallader's brigade, already advanced 
in that direction, had taken position, and needed assist- 
ance. The 14th regiment of infantry, Colonel Morgan, 
was then ordered by Scott to occupy the hamlet, and a 
few minutes later they were followed by the New York 
and South Carolina volunteers, composing the brigade of 
General Shields. Tliese troops made their way through 
a dense forest to the left of the road at Contreras, (east 
side,) and in the night took post in the hamlet on the road. 
In the mean time the brigades of Smith and Riley had 
advanced still further, and taken post in rear and flank of 
the enemy's post at Contreras. 

It was determined by Scott to make a diversion in the 
morning, or earlier, if practicable, in front of Fort Con- 
treras, while the brigades of Smith and Riley should at- 
tack, and Shields should cut off the advance of reinforce- 
ments, or the retreat of the defeated through the hamlet 
on the road. This purpose was carried out. 

General Persifer F. Smith of Twiggs' division was first 
on the ground, and had the merit of making the imme- 
diate dispositions for the battle of the following morning. 
They were made with skill and judgment, drawing from 



' Scott's Official Report. 



250 POSITION OF CONTRERAS, 

the commander-in-chief the warmest praise, and from the 
army universal admiration. The close of the 19th was 
to the troops immediately engaged, neither pleasant nor 
inspiring. They closed a severe action without decisive 
results. The rifle regiment, with the 1st artillery and 3d 
infantry, (engaged in front with the enemy,) marched to 
their new positions through chapporal and cactus, tired, 
hungry, and sorrowful.* In the evening they marched 
into the little hamlet, and there spent the night, with the 
brigade of Riley in the same road. Shields' brigade was 
in an orchard near by, and Cadwallader nearer the enemy. 
The night was cold, wet, and dreary. An officer of the 
rifles thus describes it ? 

" As we were within reach of their batteries, which 
could enfilade the road in which we lay, we built a stone 
breastwork at either end to conceal ourselves from their 
view and grape. There we were, completely surrounded 
by the enemy, cut off" from our communications, ignorant 
of the ground, without artillery, weary, dispirited, and de- 
jected — we were a disheartened set. With Santa Anna 
and Salas' promise of ' no quarter,' a force of four to one 
against us, and one half defeated already, no succor from 
Puebla and no news from Scott,^ all seemed dark. Sud- 
denly the words came whispered along, ' We storm at 
midnight P Now we were ourselves again. 

" But what a horrible night ! There we lay — too tired 
to eat, too wet to sleep — in the middle of that muddy 



' Letter from an officer in the New York Courier. 
" From the same. 

' Scott was, till after dark, in a position opposite the enemy's centre. 
He then retired to San Augustine and wrote the despatch of the day. 



POSITION OF CONTRERAS, 251 

road, officers and men side by side, with a heavy rain 
pouring down upon us — the officers without blankets or 
overcoats, (they had lost them in coming across,) and the 
men worn out with fatigue. About midnight, the rain 
was so heavy that the streams in the road flooded us ; 
and there we stood, crowded together, drenched and be- 
numbed, waiting till daylight." 

The darkness and heavy rain impeded the troops, and 
rendered the transmission of orders^ so difficult, that the 
attack on the enemy which had been planned for the dawn 
of day did not commence till a later hour. About four 
o'clock the troops of Riley and Smith, which had occu- 
pied the hamlet and road during the night, defiled into 
their position in rear of the enemy, by a ravine covered 
by orchards and corn-fields. The nature of the ground 
facihtated this operation. The batteries and intrenched 
camp of Valencia were on the side of a hill, towards the 
east or southeast, so as to command the road, it being the 
great object to defend the roads which led to the city. 
The volcanic and rocky formation here made several little 
eminences, with ravines between. In this instance there 
were other eminences in the rear still higher. The brigade 
of Riley passed through an orchard into the ravine behind 
Valencia, so as to be out of sight of Valencia's corps, and 
yet occupy a position near to him, in his rear. The bri- 
gade of Smith followed. That of Cadwallader had already 
taken position in rear of these, as a support, while Shields' 
was held in reserve — taking the place of Smith's men, in 



* Scott had sent seven officers out for information that evening, of which 
not one got through. Captain Lee, alone, with a message from Shields^ 
was able to get through. 



252 POSITION OF CONTRERAS, 

the village of Conlreras, and undertaking to hold that 
against the approach of the Mexican main army from the 
city,' or, in case Valencia was defeated, to cut off his re- 
treat to the city. He was accompanied also by the 13th 
regiment under Colonel Morgan. In the mean lime, a 
diversion (at General Smith's request) had been intended, 
by the advance in front of one of Worth's brigades and 
one of Quitman's, leaving San Augustine (the general 
depot) to be garrisoned by Harney's dragoons. This 
movement, however, occurred too late to affect the en- 
gagement.^ 

These movements were made, and the action ready to 
begin, at about six a. m. It appears that the march of 
the American troops in the night, and preparatory to the 
engagement, was altogether unknown to the Mexicans, 
whose attention was chiefly directed to an attack in front. 
The action of the afternoon of the 19th, in which the 
Americans had made no impression, inspired them with 
an idea that they might be victorious ; and as the evening 
had come on leaving the Americans in front, they had the 
behef that the attack would be in front or along the line 
of the road. Here we may remark, that the idea of rapid 
night movements, with a view to turn positions or make 
surprises by skill and energy, seems not to be at all fa- 
miliar to the Mexican generals. Had it been, why did 
they not discover, and endeavor to prevent the execution 
and use of the new road made round the heights of Cerro 
Gordo ? Why did they not throw their troops into, and 
defend the narrow pass, between mountain and water, 



* See Official Report. » See Scott's Official Report 



POSITION OF THE ARMIES. 253 

round the south end of Lake Chalco ? And why, now, 
with twenty thousand men in sight, did they not watch 
and defend the space between Valencia's batteries, and 
the road and hamlet occupied on the night of the 19th by 
the brigades of Riley and Smith ? They did not, and 
lost the battle (stratagetically considered) on that account. 
Let us now review the exact position of the two armies 
on the morning of the 20th — and which, all other thing* 
being equal, decided their fate — as to the position of Con- 
treras. First, we observe, that the road leading by the 
heights of Contreras, goes to Mexico through San Angel. 
At the last place a road branches off, rather southeast, by 
Coyhoacan, to the San Antonia road at Churubusco. At 
the last place, and very near the junction of the roads, the 
San Antonia road crosses a little stream, or canal, called 
Churubusco River. At this point, covering the crossing, 
is a regular fortification, called Tete du Pont, or Bridge- 
head. This is connected with a church or convent, in 
the hamlet of Churubusco, by defences. Churubusco is 
approached, then, on the south and west, by two roads 
only ; one from San Angel, through Coyhoacan ; the 
other from San Antonia. Now the reader will mark that 
the Mexican positions were these : \st. Valencia, with the 
division of the north, composed of about six thousand 
men, occupied the batteries and hill-side on the height of 
Contreras. This was a battery mounted with heavy 
pieces. The object of this defence was to command the 
road, which was a good one, from here to Mexico. 2d. 
At about two miles from this work, and parallel with the 
same road, lay the main body of the Mexican army, un- 
der Santa Anna, supposed to be about twelve thousand 
men. A reference to the map of the ground will show 
w 



254 POSITION OF THE ARMIES. 

that this was a position well adapted to reinforce either 
Contreras upon one road, or Churubusco on the other. 
Sd. General Rincon, with the regiments of Bravo and 
Independencia, occupied the church and tete du pont, 
at Churubusco.^ 4th. San Antonia, which had first ar- 
rested the march of Worth's division in this direction, was 
likewise garrisoned and fortified. In all these positions, 
taken in the aggregate, the Mexican forces amounted to 
about twenty-five thousand men. All of them were 
strong positions when skilfully and energetically defended. 
It is very evident, however, that if Contreras were taken, 
San Antonia would be turned and rendered useless. 
Churubusco then might be attacked without touching 
Antonia. The enemy must then concentrate his defence 
at the tete du pont of Churubusco. This actually took 
place. 

The American positions we have already detailed 
The object of Scott was first to force the fortifications ot 
Contreras, and thus command the read through San An- 
gel, and then to carry Churubusco, when the main road 
would be open to the city of Mexico. For this purpose, 
the brigades under the command of General P. F. Smith 
were detached to surround, if possible, the height of Con- 
treras ; Shields to support and hold the road ; Worth to 
check Antonia and divert in front ; while Quitman gar- 
risoned the depot of San Augustine. The immediate ar- 
rangements and command at Contreras devolved upon 
General Smith, who most ably carried out the views of 
the commander-in-chief. The nature of the ground and 



* General Rincon's Official Report. 



STORMING OF CONTRERAS. 255 

the negligence of the Mexicans favored our troops in ta- 
king their respective places. We have seen that the 
brigades of Riley, Cadvvallader, and Smith, each took 
their position in rear of the enemy, with only the crest of 
a hill between. Shields' position in the hamlet was such, 
that he was able on one hand to cut off or check rein- 
forcements, and on the other to intercept the retreat of 
Valencia. In fact, the Americans had cut the line of the 
Mexican defence, and were thus able to attack their posts 
and divisions in detail. This was done. 

At six A. M. the arrangements for battle were all made. 
The place and course of Riley's brigade was given by 
Lieutenant Tower, of the engineers. In the same man- 
ner, that of Cadwallader was pointed out by Lieutenants 
Beauregard and Brooks ; while Captain Lee directed the 
course of the column under Colonel Ransom.* All these 
officers had reconnoitred the enemy's camp and forces. 

When the word was given, our men sprung up in rear 
and on both flanks of the astonished Mexicans, rushed 
over the crest of the hill, and dashed pell-mell into the 
intrenchments ! Nothing could resist them : the batteries 
were taken ; the army of Valencia driven out in utter 
rout ; and its flying remnants pursued on the road to Mex- 
ico ! So admirable were the dispositions, and so impul- 
sively energetic, that the battje was ended almost as soon 
as begun. The actual conflict lasted but seventeen min- 
utes ! The pursuit was for hours. The results were 
gigantic. 

Of the scene during the battle, and the fierce ardor 



Scott's Official Report, (No. 32.) 



256 STORMING OF CONTRERAS. 

which impelled the American^ troops, we take a descrip 
lion from the same graphic writer whom we have before 
quoted. " At last, just at daylight. General Smith slowly 
walking up, asked if all was ready. A look answered 
him. ' Men, forward /' and we did ' forward.' Spring- 
ing up at once, Riley's brigade opened, when the crack of 
a hundred rifles started the Mexicans from their astonish- 
ment, and they opened their fire. Useless fire — for we 
were so close that they overshot us, and before they could 
turn their pieces on us we were on them. Then such 
cheers arose as you never heard. The men rushed 
forward like demons, yelling and firing the while. The 
carnage was frightful, and though they fired sharply, it was 
of no use. The earthen parapet was cleared in an in- 
stant, and the blows of the stocks could be plainly heard, 
mingled with the yells and groans around. Just before 
the charge was made, a large body of lancers came wind- 
ing up the road, looking most splendidly in their brilliant 
uniforms. They never got to the work, but turned and 
fled.^ In an instant all was one mass of confusion, each 



* The Mexicans uniformly, in their reports and letters, speak of the peo- 
ple of the United States of the north, as " Americans," although they are 
themselves just as much " Americans." This settles the question, whether 
the people of the United States have a name. 

' This dastardly conduct of the Mexican cavalry is thus spoken of rrt 
the Official Report of General Salas, which corresponds in this respect 
with the above account : 

" As soon as I observed the dispersion of our forces, I endeavored to 
check it. Crying ' Victory to Mexico !' and sounding the signal of attack, 
I succeeded in rallying our troops, and ordered General Anastasia Torre- 
jon to make a charge with his cavalry ; but this chief, far from obeying 
my orders, fled like a coward, and the cavalry following his example. 



STORMING OF CONTRERAS. 257 

trying lo be foremost in the flight. The road was literally 
blocked up, and while many perished by their own guns^ 
it was almost impossible to fire on the mass from the dan- 
ger of killing our own men. Some fled up the ravine on. 
the left, or on the right, and many of these were slain by 
turning their own guns on them. Towards the city, the 
rifles and 2d infantry led off the pursuit. Seeing that a 
large crowd of fugitives were jammed up in a pass in the' 
road, some of the men ran through the corn-field, and by 
thus heading them off and firing down upon them, about 
thirty men took over five hundred prisoners, nearly a hun- 
dred of them officers."^ 

In the mean time, the enemy (who previous to the as- 
sault were ignorant of the American forces in the ravine) 
had commenced a heavy fire on Shields' brigade in the 
hamlet. This, however, ceased when the charge was 
made by Riley. Shields then ordered his brigade, com- 
posed of the New York and South Carolina regiments, 
into the road, to cut off the retreat of such of Valencia's 
corps as passed that way. In this they succeeded. Large 
parties of the enemy were met by the fire of these regi- 
ments, and either scattered through the fields or made 
prisoners. At this point on the road three hundred and 
sixty-five were taken, of whom twenty-five were officers, 
and among the latter was General Nicholas Mendoza.^ 

The victory of Contreras^ was brilliant and decisive. 



trampled down the infantry in their flight, and completed our defeat." — 
Salas' Official Report, August 28th, 1847. 

* Letter of an officer in the New York Courier. 

" Official Report of General Shields. 

' Official Report of General Scott. 

W 2 17 



N 



258 RESULTS OF THE VICTORY. 

The aggregate loss of the enemy was seven hundred 
killed, about one thousand wounded, eight hundred and 
thirteen prisoners, of whom eighty-eight were officers, 
(including four generals,) twenty-two pieces of brass can- 
non, seven hundred pack-mules, and an immense number 
'>f small-arms, shot, shells, and ammunition. But the 
most important loss, to an experienced military eye, was 
that of one of the strong positions by which the roads to 
Mexico were commanded, and in consequence of which 
San Antonia was turned, and Churubusco attacked in 
flank. It was only two miles from the point where 
Shields captured Mendoza to San Angel, and but three 
miles (by good roads) from the last point (by Coyhoacan) 
to Churubusco. On these roads the American troops 
rushed in pursuit of the flying enemy, till they united 
with Worth's corps in the storm of the church and tete 
du pont at the last place. 

Among the generals taken, were Salas, Mendoza, 
Garcia, and Guadalupe. The two former appear to 
have been men of talent, while of General Valencia, their 
commander, nothing was then heard ; and he seems to 
have been either wanting in skill and courage, or to have 
been so overwhelmed with his misfortune, as to be un- 
willing to make his appearance.' By a private corre- 
spondence^ between him and Santa Anna, it seems that 
the latter had directed him, on the 17th or 18th, (previous 
to the arrival of the army in front of the fortifications,) to 
abandon his post at San Angel, (probably the fortification,) 



' Official Report of General Salas. 

' Private intercepted correspondence between Valencia and Santa Anna, 
dated the 18th and 19th of August. 



PLEASING INCIDENT. 259 

which Valencia, on the 18th, gave reasons why he should 
not obey ; and on the 19th Santa Anna yields, but doubts 
the propriety of Valencia maintaining his post. Both ap- 
pear to have been wrong in a military point of view. The 
heights of Contreras were a proper point to defend, but 
batteries should have been placed on two or three other 
eminences ; and, above all, the commander should never 
have allowed a storming party to get into a ravine, within 
gunshot, without being known. Such a fact argues gross 
negligence. 

One of the striking events of the day, was the recap- 
ture of the identical pieces of artillery taken at Buena 
Vista by the Mexicans. This circumstance is thus related 
by the commander-in-chief •} 

" One of the most pleasing incidents of the victory is 
the recapture, in the works, by Captain Drum, 4th artil- 
lery, under Major Gardner, of the two brass six-pounders, 
taken from another company of the same regiment, though 
without the loss of honor, at the glorious battle of Buena 
Vista, about which guns the whole regiment had mourned 
for so many months. Coming up, a little later, I had the 
happiness to join in the protracted cheers of the gallant 
4th, on the joyous event ; and, indeed, the whole army 
sympathizes in its just pride and exultation."^ 



' General Scott's Official Report. 

' In connection with this circumstance, it is proper to say that Captain 
O'Brienj who commanded the battery to which these guns were attached 
at Buena Vista, requested a court of inquiry, which was held in March, 
1847. The court found the fact, that he was the last man who left the 
pieces, the others having been all killed and wounded. Their opinion was 
thus given : 



260 STRENGTH OF THE ARMIES. 

The strength of the two armies in this engagement, 
may be thus slated. Including the brigade of Shields, 
placed in the hamlet, and which we have shown to have 
done most effective service, the American troops amounted 
to about four thousand five hundred; while the corps of 
Valencia and Mendoza were seven thousand, and at least 
twelve thousand were on the same road. If we deduct 
Shields' brigade, as keeping in check the main body of 
Mexicans, it is probable the actual battle was fought by 
three thousand five hundred on our side, against seven 
thousand Mexicans in fortified intrenchmenis. The dis- 
crepancy in numbers was not so great as in some other 
actions ; but, on the other hand, the military dispositions 
were admirable, and the battle was won before it was 
fought. 

We must now follow the army in its bloody march 
through and over the intrenchments of Churubusco. At 
8 A. M., or two hours from its commencement, the fight 
of Contreras may be said to have been completed ; the 



OPINION. 

" The court is unanimously of the opinion that the conduct of Captain 
O'Brien, during the whole time, was bold and intrepid, and deserving of 
the highest commendation. The firm stand made by him in the after- 
noon, by which he sacrificed his whole section, contributed largely to the 
success of the day, if it did not save us from disaster." 

II. The proceedings of the court, in the above case, having been sub- 
mitted to and examined by the commanding general, are by him fully ap- 
proved. 

III. The court of inquiry, of which Brevet Colonel W. G. Belknap, 8th 
infantry, is president, is hereby dissolved. 

By order of Maj. Gen. Taylor. 
(Signed) W. W. S. BLISS, Asst. Adjt. Gen. 



POSITION OF CHURUBUSCO. 261 

greater part of the time being occupied in pursuit of the 
broken and scattered remnants of Valencia's division — 
Valencia himself having disappeared. 

Churubusco is really about four miles froai the heights 
of Conlreras, in a direct line east ; but the road goes 
northeast to San Angel, and then forks southeast, so 
that the distance by the road is about six miles. This 
point was defended by General Rincon, (as we have 
before said,) with the regiments of Independencia and 
Bravo — reinforced largely on the morning of the 2()lh.^ 
The retreating bodies of men, who had occupied An- 
tonia, and the fragments left from Contreras, were con- 
centrated in and about Churubusco, where they ar- 
rived but little before the advancing and attacking regi- 
ments of Scott. That morning, the commander of 
artillery, Don Martin Correra, arrived, bringing six 
pieces of cannon, which were placed in battery on the 
road to Coyhoacan, and in the centre of a field-work, 
erected around the liacienda, which was at the com- 
mencement of the causeway leading to the western gate 
of the city, and had to be passed before getting on the 
road. 7'his hacienda consisted of an enclosure of stone 
walls — inside of which, was a stone building higher than 
these walls ; and above all, a stone church, higher than 
the rest. The outside walls were pierced with two 
ranges of embrasures, and high enough to command the 
surrounding country, and fire plungingly upon those ap- 
proaching to the assault.^ The church and the hacienda 
were surrounded by this outside field-work. About 



' General Rincon's Official Despatch, dated August 26th. 
* Letter of an officer, m the New York Courier. 



262 DESCRIPTION Oi' CHURUBUSCO. 

three hundred yards in the rear, and a little to the east, 
was the tete du pont, at the intersection of the cause- 
way, or principal road with a canal or river. By passing 
along the causeway, the church and field-work would 
be left a little on the west side, and the troops would be 
first arrested by the tete du pont. This was the ca^c 
with Worth's division. 

On the morning of the 20th, about 8 a.m., when it was 
fully ascertained that the enemy (now defeated at Co/i- 
treras) was in full retreat towards the great causeway 
road from San Antonia to Mexico, the two brigades (ono 
of Worth's and one of Quitman's) which had been or- 
dered to make a diversion in front of Contreras, were or- 
dered back to their respective divisions. Quitman wa.s 
directed with his remaining brigade (Shields' being now 
under the direction of General Twiggs, on the road frons 
San Angel) to garrison San Augustine, the general dcpc/i 
of the army, and the loss of whicli could not be risked.' 
The division of Worth was ordered to proceed to ihu 
attack of San Antonia, and when that was carried, la 
march on and rejoin the other divisions in the attack of 
the defences of Churubusco. Accordingly, the brigades 
of Clarke and Garland (Worth's) proceeded to the at- 
tack of Antonia. This post, left unsupported by the line 
of troops, now driven from Contreras, and with com- 
paratively open ground about it, could be turned. Ac- 
cordingly, Colonel Clarke's brigade, conducted by Cap- 
tain Mason of the engineers, and Lieutenant Hardcaslle 
of the topographical corps, turned the enemy's right, 
by a sweep to the left, and came out on the high road 

' Scott's Official Report, No. 32, August 28th. 



ATTACK ON CHURUBUSCO, 263 

to Mexico. In the mean time, the garrison had retreated, 
and were now cut in the centre by the advancing column 
of Clarke. One-half were driven off towards the east, 
and the other part on the causeway towards Churubusco. 
The brigade of Garland advancing in front, now oc- 
cupied the evacuated hamlet — capturing the artillery in 
its batteries. These brigades were soon united, and 
rushed on in hot pursuit.^ 

The grand movement of the day now commenced — 
the march of the united army (Quitman's 2d brigade ex- 
cepted) on the fortified post of Churubusco. This was 
made in two columns — the division of Worth from San 
Antonia in front, and the divisions of Twiggs and Pillow, 
with the brigade of Shields from Coyhoacan ; to which 
point they had pursued the remains of the Mexican 
army, — routed at Contreras, and followed through San 
Angel. This naturally resolved the battle into two dis- 
tinct actions on the same field, and so clearly connected, 
as to be within half cannon-shot at the centres of contest. 
These were respectively, the tete du pont, attacked by 
the first column under Worth, and the fortified church 
and hacienda, attacked by the column of Twiggs and 
Pillow. Let us first follow Worth's attack. 

It had got to be about 1 p. m., when the different di- 
visions from the south and west were united, not in line, 
(nor together,) but within the same circuit of attack.^ 
At the same time, the garrisons of Churubusco, (strongly 
reinforced,) the brigade of Perez, at Portalis, the broken 
corps from San Angel, and the principal divisions of 



' Scott's Official Report. 

^ Letter iu the New York Courier 



264 BATTLE OF CHURUBUSCO. 

Santa Anna's arnny were all prepared for battle, having 
concentrated in and about Churubusco. The division 
of Twiggs had commenced the attack on the fortified 
church about an hour, amidst an incessant roll of fire, 
when Worth, with Cadwallader's brigade, (Pillow's di- 
vision,) commenced manoeuvring on the tete du pont, 
Tlie other fortification attacked by Twiggs, was just half- 
gunshot to the left, and but for the attack on it, would 
have poured a destructive fire on Worth. Both were 
attacked simultaneously — and thus the fire of Pablo de 
Churubusco was in a measure diverted. The brigade 
of Colonel Garland, with Smith's light battalion, moved 
along a little to the right of the road, directly up to the 
tete du pont. They advanced under the fire of a long 
line of infantry. Clarke's brigade marched at the same 
time, directly on the road; and this again was supported 
by the 1 llh and 14th regiments, (Cadwallader's,) and the 
whole moved steadily up under a tremendous discharge 
of both small-arms and cannon. Most of these corps, 
advancing perpendicularly, suffered greatly from the fire 
of batteries at the bridge-head.^ At length, the line in 
front of Garland's column gave way, and made a rapid 
retreat to Mexico. Tlie tete du pont was reached by 
Clarke's — its deep ditch was crossed by the 5th and 8th 
infantry — the parapets stormed — and one of the most 
formidable defences of Mexico crowned by its capture^ 
the third action of the memorable 20th of August. 

In the meanwhile, a yet more active, bloody, and 
eventful action took place to the left of Worth's line, in 
the attack on what may be called the Citadel of Churu- 

* Scott's Official Report. 



BATTLE OF CHURUBUSCO. 265 

busco, the fortification at the hacienda, before described. 
Scott, who on the 19th had been posted on an eminence 
in front of Contreras, and on that night gave directions 
for the early storm of Contreras — had this morning given 
(amidst the trophies of the field) his orders for the 
forward movement of Worth, and now (in the forenoon) 
joined General Pillow's division in its march to Coy- 
hoacan. Here, just one mile west of Churubusco, at a 
point made convenient by several cross-roads, he made 
the arrangements for the day. Cadwallader's brigade 
was detached (as we have seen) to reinforce Worth at 
Antonia. Twiggs's division was ordered (except the 
rifles) to attack the citadel, San Pablo, in front. Pierce's 
brigade first, and soon after Shields', were directed to 
lake a road which led to the rear of Churubusco, to 
divert the troops under Santa Anna, and threaten his 
right and rear ; with a view also, should the attack in 
front succeed, to cut off the retreat of the Mexican forces 
to the city. General Shields commanded this corps, 
which was directed in its course by Captain Lee, of the 
engineers.^ These dispositions were rapidly made, and 
as quickly executed. The troops moved regularly and 
gallantly into their places, and the battle of Churubusco 
was commenced, which, for three hours was vigorously 
maintained amidst the raging of all the elements, which 
mingle their terrible voices and their crimson banners on 
the battle-field. The veteran regiments of Smith and 
Riley quailed not amidst the whirlwind of fire, and the 
storm of balls which rolled from the well-directed guns 
of San Pablo in front ; while far to the left, the gallant 

' Scott's Official Report. 



266 BATTLE OF CHCRUBUSCO. 

volunteers of Carolina and New York, were rapidly 
filling their untimely, though glorious graves ! Here, 
the Mexican general, Rincon, ably defended his post. 
There, the masses of Santa Anna poured themselves on 
the division of Shields ! A lurid canopy of sulphurous 
smoke rose over the heads of the combatants, and, far 
over the ancient plains of Mexico, rolled the roar of 
cannon and the crash of arms — that awful music, which 
makes the song of battle, the prelude of death, and the 
voice of angry nations. One might imagine the fierce 
spirit of Guatimozin hovering exultant over ^he plain, 
where the Celt and the Saxon, the enemies of his race, 
poured out in mortal conflict, (as if in just retribution,) 
their blood and their lives, over the graves of his fathers. 
In the centre of the batteries of San Pablo was placed 
the company of St. Patrick's, formed out of deserters from 
the American army.^ These men fought desperately and 
skilfully, causing the deaths of many of the assailants, and 
delaying the capture of the post. An officer of the rifles 
thus describes the scene :* " The firing was most tremen- 
dous ; in fact, one continued roll while the combat lasted. 
The enemy, from their elevated position, could readily see 
our men, who were unable to get a clear view from their 
position. Three of the pieces were manned by the ' de- 
serters,^ a body of about one hundred who had deserted 
from the ranks of our army during the war. They were 
enrolled in two companies, commanded by a deserter,^ 



' Report of General Rincon, who says that the battalion of Bravo and 
the companies of St. Patrick were stationed in the front batteries. 
* Letter in the New York Courier. 
' This man's name is Thomas Riley, a deserter from the 3d infantry. 



BATTLE OF CHURUBUSCO. 267 

and were better uniformed and disciplined than the rest 
of the army. These men fought most desperately ; and 
are said not only to have shot down several of our officer^ 
whom they knew, but to have pulled down the white flag 
of surrender no less than three times." 

It, was now two hours and a half from the commence- 
ment of the battle by the division of Twiggs, when the 
tete du pont gave way before the storming parties of 
Worth. The enemy were driven out at the point of the 
bayonet, and the larger part of Worth's and Pillow's divis- 
ions crossed the bridge and followed in vigorous pursuit. 
Captain Larkin Smith and Lieutenant Snelling of the 8th 
infantry, however, seized upon a field-piece and fired 
upon the church, or citadel. The furious battle at that 
point still continued ; but in half an hour more — ^just 
three hours from the commencement — the citadel (San 
Pablo) was entered, sword in hand, by two companies 
of the 3d infantry under Captains Alexander and J. M. 
Smith, with Lieutenant Shepler. At the same moment 
the white flag had been exhibited, and Captain Alexander 
received the surrender, and hoisted on the balcony the 
flags of the gallant 3d infantry. A fourth time, in one 
day, had the eagle of victory perched upon her favorite 
standard. The bold bird of war seemed to rejoice with 
exultant flight in the career of the conquering Saxon ! 

But the dead and the dying were not yet to be left to 
the stillness of advancing night. Far to the left the tide 
of waj still rolled its angry waves. The brigades of 
Pierce and Shields, supported by the rifles, had encoun- 
tered, to the rear of the works of Churubusco, four 
thousand Mexican infantry supported by three thousand 
cavalry. Hotly and furiously did the battle, rage in this 



268 RESULTS OF THE BATTLE. 

quarter. Regiment after regiment, the 9lh, 12t!i, 15lh 
infantry, with Ransom, Wood, and Morgan, came up to the 
charge. Here were covered with glory and with blood 
the chivalry of Carolina, the bold soldiers of New York ! 
Here Pierce, fainting with pain, was taken from the field ; 
here the brave Butler fell ; and here, a ffth time on the 

' same extraordinary day, the banner of the Anglo-American 
waved over troops triumphantly victorious ! The Span- 
ish-Aztecs retreated from the bloody scene of their defeat, ' 
leaving hundreds of their bravest prisoners, and hundreds 
more to mingle their dust with the undistinguished dead, 
to be remembered no more. Over the dead and over the 
long causeway the fugitives are j)ursued by the gallant 
dragoons, and it was not till at the very gates of Mexico i 
that the impulsive Captain Kearney reined in his horse.^ i 

, In the citadel (church) of Churubusco the brave Gen- 
erals Rincon and Anaya,^ (provisional president,) with 
hundreds of others, were taken prisoners. Thus had the 
army of Scott at Conlreras, Antonia, the Tete du Pont, 
Churubusco, and in the field, five times in one glorious 
day, defeated the enemy in sight of the capital of 
Mexico, in that wonderful valley where, three hundred 
years before, Cortez had overwhelmed the Aztecs with 
the invincibles of Spain. History, the Kaleidoscope of 
humanity, is again exhibiting strange and various and 
mysterious events. The northman had come from the 
dark forests of the Danube and the Elbe to overwhelm 



' Orders had been dispatclied to recall the dragoons, but they did not 
receive them ; and Kearney lost his arm, and stopped only at the galea 
tsf Mexico. 

* General Anaya has since been elected president. 



REFLECTIONS UN IHE BATTLE. 269 

the Roman in the Enghsh isles ; again he embarks on the 
waters of the Atlantic and penetrates the woods of the 
western continent, builds republics, renews the glory of 
civilization, and now sends the chariots of war to over- 
whelm in conquest the descendants of those very invinci- 
bles whom Corlez had victoriously led from the Gulf of 
Mexico to the palace of the Montezumas, Is there no 
ministry of retribution in this — no angel of fate unfolding 
the cycles of providence ? 

Scott, now at Churubusco, turns with a glad spirit and 
grateful heart to the troops, and rejoices with them in the 
martial glory of their country. The old soldiers seize his 
hand ; there is silence, and the old commander pours 
forth " in eloquent and patriotic words the commendation 
of their gallant conduct."^ 

An officer, who was present, says : " During this 
thrilling scene, I looked up to a balcony of the church 
that had been so bravely defended. It was filled by 
Mexican prisoners. Among ihem General Rincon, a 
venerable old soldier, was leaning forward, his counte- 
nance glowing and his eyes sparkling with every mani- 
festation of delight. I verily believe that the old veteran, 
with the spirit of a true soldier, upon beholding a victo- 
rious general so greeted by the brave men he had just 
led to victory, forgot for a moment his own position, that 
he was defeated and a prisoner ; and saw and thought 
only of the enthusiasm by which he was surrounded."^ 

First. Let us now examine the results of this great 
day in American military annals. Let us review in brief 



* Letter in the Journal of Commerce. 
" Letter in the Journal of Commerce. 

x2 



270 RESULTS OF THE BATTLE. 

the actions of the day and the defences overcome. 1st. 
There were, as we have said, five distinct actions, al- 
though the last three were fought as parts of one great 
battle. There were, 1, The storm of Contreras ; 2, The 
capture of Antonia ; 3, The storm of the tete du pont ; 
4, The battle and assault of the church and outworks of 
Churubusco ; 5, The action in the rear of Churubusco 
with the right wing of Santa Anna's corps. These last 
three were parts of one drama, but distinct in the skill, 
the action, and the relative effects. The tete du pont 
was about four hundred yards from the fortified church 
of Churubusco ; and the field in which Pierce and Shields 
were engaged, nearly a mile in rear of both. There is no 
doubt the fierce attack on the church (citadel) aided the 
divisions of Worth in their assault on the tete du pont ; 
and there is no doubt, either, that the fall of the latter 
determined, in a great measure, the fall of the former. 

2d. The next point of interest is the relative proportions 
of either army in numbers and position. It must be re- 
membered here, that the American army were in the heart 
of an enemy's country, and were assailing fortified posi- 
tions. These facts may be fairly said to have doubled 
the real strength of the Mexican army. At Contreras the 
relative numbers, actually in fight, were — Americans, three 
thousand five hundred — Mexicans, seven thousand : in 
field, supporting, all counted, four thousand five hundred 
Americans — nineteen thousand Mexicans : at Churubusco, 
in all parts of the field, nine thousand Americans — thirty 
thousand Mexicans. There is no doubt that the actual f 
garrison of the fortified church, under General Rincon, 
was comparatively small, and that those who defended 
the mere batteries of the tete du pont were not very 



STRENGTH OF THE MEXICANS. 271 

numerous ; but behind these, and especially behind the 
tele du pont, were long lines of infantry and cavalry, 
amounting, taken in all, to nearly thirty thousand. 

3d. The third point is the strength of the batteries and 
defences. The following is a statement of these •} 

INFANTRY 
BATTERIES. GUNS. BREASTWORKS. 

Contreras 1 22 

SanAntonia 7 24 2 

Churubusco 2 15 

Total 10 61 2 

At the tete du pont of Churubusco, a canal, or river, 
passed behind, over which was a bridge. This was the 
field-defence of Santa Anna's army, which lay behind ; 
and certainly any one who will examine the positions and 
defences of the Mexicans at Churubusco must pronounce 
them very strong, well chosen, and well defended, in 
regard to the fortified points. 

Second. What were the results in respect to the 
enemy ? These positions, which commanded the main 
roads to Mexico in that direction, were all taken ; the 
causeways were laid open to the very gates of the city ; 
and the vast materiel arrayed for its defence destroyed 
or captured. 

At the end of this great day in war, Scott, while the 
troops were yet pursuing, proceeded on to Tacubaya; but 
on the way was met with propositions for peace. After 

' Taken from a statement made by Captain Lee. 



272 THE ARMISTICE. 

making his reply, he proceeded lo Tacubaya, near the 
strong castle of Chapuhepec. The guns from the castle 
were silent, and the headquarters of the American army- 
were soon safely established in the palace of tlie arch- 
bishop, a huge pile of buildings, surrounded with beautiful 
gardens. Before him, in full view, rose the domes and 
spires of the famed city, environed by beautiful lakes, and 
the richest natural scenery. He was at the gates of the 
" Halls of the Monlezumas," with an army flushed with 
victory, and impatient to be led to the assault. But nei- 
ther the glory of military renown, nor the rich treasures 
which have been dug from the mines of Mexico, could 
dazzle the eye of the patriot soldier, or swerve him from 
the obligations to humanity. 

Before the carnage of another battle, he must make one 
final effort to stay the iron arm of destruction, and reclaim 
warring nations to the paths of peace. Hence his beau- 
tiful letter, expressing the Christian sentiment, " Enough 
blood has been shed in this unnatural war." When the 
echoes of ihe cannon shall have died away, and the clangor 
of arms shall have ceased — when the steeled warrior shall 
have gone to his rest, and the conqueror and the van- 
quished shall lie down together — Christianity will weave 
her unfading chaplet for the soldier who has ever been 
true lo her highest obligations and benign requirements.^ 



* The following are the results of the battles of the 20th : — 

American loss — killed, wounded, and missing, 1,053. 

Mexican loss— 3,500 prisoners ; 1,500 killed, wounded, and missing , 
37 pieces artillery captured ; small-arms, ammunition, and equipments 
for an army. 



THE ARMISTICE. 273- 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Peace Negotiations. — President Polk's Commission.— Mexican Conditions. 
— American Ultimatum.— Failure of Negotiations.— Scott's Notice to 
Santa Anna. — Trial and Execution of the Deserters. — Description of 
Chapultepec— Of Molino del Rey.— Mexican Defences.— March of 
Worth.— Strength of his Corps.— Battle of Molino del Rey.— Mexican 
Loss.— Evacuation of Molino del Rey.— Preparations for the Attack of 
Chapultepec- Erection of Batteries.— Storm of Chapultepec— Ac- 
tion of the 13th.— Capture of Mexico.— Entrance into the City.— Scott's 
Address to the Soldiers.— Insurrection of the Leperos.- Appearance of 
the Cityi 

In the last chapter we recorded the memorable events 
of the 20th of August, 1847, in the valley of Mexico,— 
events unequalled in their extraordinary character and 
their dramatic interest by any preceding part of the mili- 
tary history of America. Kearney had hardly been re- 
called from his adventurous charge to the gates of Mexico, 
when the shades of evening gathered round the bloody 
field of Churubusco. The battle had passed, and the vale 
lay as silent as the lonely bodies of the slain. Passed 
away are all the rolling thunders of the red artillery, and 
quenched their fires as the silent and quenched volcanoes 
of the snow-crowned Popocatapetl, rearing its cold head 
upon the distant horizon. Nature sleeps, and the dead 
sleep, and the weary soldier sleeps, while the sentry and 
the stars keep watch together. But though the fires of 
volcanoes may sleep, and the artillery may cease to flash, 
the events of time and providence will never sleep. 

18 



274 THE ARALISTICE. 

History moves on. Its recording pen never ceases to 
write while man is an actor in the drama of providence, 
and humanity continues to develop its mighty and myste- 
rious powers. 

On the morning of the 21st, Scott, en route Xo Coyhoa- 
can, was met by commissioners from Santa Anna, pro- 
posing an armistice. The time was not then agreed to, 
but Scott told them he should sleep that night at Tacu- 
baya. The commissioners then told him that if he would 
delay his march a few hours, they would send an order to 
the fortress of Chapultepec not to fire on him ! The 
general, however, did not delay his march, but entered 
Tacubaya early in tlie afternoon, attended by the dragoons 
alone ; Worth's division did not arrive till late in the eve- 
ning.^ That night Scott occupied the Archiepiscopal 
Palace of Mexico. At this time it is unquestionably true 
that the American general might have entered the plaza 
of Mexico, or have demolished its splendid edifices by the 
fire of his bombs. He did not ; but, in conformity with 
the dictates of humanity, on the following morning re- 
ceived the propositions of the Mexican commissioners for 
a truce. This he arranged on his own terras, when the 
negotiations commenced. 

To understand this negotiation, we must recur to the 
events in the order of time. In the first place, we must 
note the commission of President Polk to Mr. N. P. Trist. 
It seems that on the 15th day of April, 1847, the Presi- 
dent gave a formal commission to Mr. Trist, in which he 
states that he has " invested him, in the fullest and most 
complete manner, with ample power and authority, in the 

' Letter in the Journd of Commerce. 



MR. trist's mission. 275 

name of the United States, to meet and confer with any 
person or persons, who shall have similar authority from 
the republic of Mexico, and between them to negotiate 
and conclude an arrangement of the differences which 
exist between the two countries — a treaty of peace, ami- 
ty, and lasting boundaries.'" The President had no power 
by the Constitution, to constitute a mission to a foreign 
country, nor would he have power to make a treaty with- 
out the advice and consent of the Senate. Mr. Trist, 
then, notwithstanding his commission, was in fact the 
mere agent of the President, and no more. Accordingly, 
he carried out with him from the department 'of state a 
*' project of a treaty" to be presented to the Mexican gov- 
ernment.^ The inference from this transaction is, lliat 
the cabinet at Washington supposed that the Mexican 
people were anxious for peace, and there was nothing for 
the President of the United States to do but to say on 
what terms peace should be made. The opposite of this 
idea appears to have been the state of the Mexican mind, 
for they met the American agent with instructions to their 
commissioners that the treaty should be made on the basis 
that they had triumphed, and as if the war could be pros- 
ecuted by them with advantage.^ In this spirit met the 
commissioners. Mr. Trist, the agent of President Polk, 
at two thousand miles from his principal, tied down to 
the letter and detail of a treaty drawn up by the Secretary 
,of State, without the power to change it ; and the Mexican 



' See copy of Mr. Trist's commission. 
* See official copy of the " Project of a Treaty. 

' See conditions for the Mexican commissioners drawn up by Santa 
Anna, Pacheco, &c., &c. 



276 COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED. 

commissioners meeting him, as if their country was in- 
tact, and their arms invulnerable to conquest. 

On the 25th of August, Mr. Trist addressed a note to 
the Mexican Minister of Foreign Relations, informing him 
that he is ready to treat with commissioners on the part 
of Mexico. On the 26th, Mr. Pacheco replies, that he is 
engaged in appointing commissioners for that purpose, 
who would assemble the following evening at the village 
of Atzcopozalco, an intermediate point between the two 
armies. 

The invitation and appointment Mr. Trist accepted in 
a note of the same date. 

Among the commissioners appointed by the Mexican 
secretary was General Herrera, formerly president of the 
republic. This distinguished man promptly declined the 
appointment. The grounds on which he declined are 
worthy of note. He was president in 1845, when the 
mission of Slidell occurred. He was willing to hear Sli- 
dell state his terms ; but that person, as we have already 
stated, had neither the patience nor temper to wait and 
watch events, but impetuously demanded that he should 
be immediately received. The downfall of Herrera im- 
mediately took place ; and Herrera now says : " For the 
single act of being willing to listen to his propositions, 
m)' administration- was calumniated in the most atrocious 
manner, this act alone causing the revolution whicli de- 
prived me of the command ; and to take part in the same 
question, at this day, would cause a renewal of the cal- 
umnies which then assailed me." Mr. Pacheco, however, 
msisted upon his acceptance, and he finally acted on the 
commission. The Mexican commission was composed 
of the following persons : 



COMMISSIONERS MEET. STT 

Don Jose Joaquin de Herrera, general of division. 
Don Bernardo Conto, general of brigade. 
Don Ignacio Mora y Villamil, general. 
, Don Miguel Atristain, 

Don Jose Miguel Arroyo, Secretary. 

The great points of negotiation were the boundaries to 
^oe drawn between Mexico and the United States, one 
party insisting upon territory to be taken from the other. 
The boundaries in the " project" of Mr. Trist were chief- 
ly these : 

Article 4th of the " project" requires that the boundary 
line should commence in front of the mouth of the Rio 
Grande, and should follow the middle of that river to the 
southern boundary of New Mexico ; thence west with the 
southern line of New Mexico to the western boundary ; 
thence north with the river Gila till it empties into the 
Rio Colorado ; thence down the Colorado and the gulf 
of Mexico to the Pacific. 

Article 8th required the free right of way forever over 
the isthmus of Tehuantepec, 

An examination of the map will show that our govern- 
ment demanded, 1st, The cession of the disputed terri- 
tory between the Nueces and the Rio Grande ; 2d, Of 
New Mexico ; 3d, Of both Upper and Lower California. 

The Mexican commissioners presented a counter- 
project, which contained the following definition of boun- 
dary : 

1st, The dividing line between the two republics shall 

commence in the bay of Corpus Christi ; thence to the 

mouth of the Nueces ; thence with the middle of said 

stream to its source ; thence west to the eastern boundary 

y 



278 TERMS DEMANDED. 

of New Mexico ; thence north with that boundary to the 
37th degree of latitude ; thence west with that parallel to 
the Pacific. 2d, That the government of Mexico would 
found no settlement or colony between the Nueces and 
the Rio Grande, leaving that country as an uninhabited 
frontier. 

The map shows that this proposition grants to the Uni- 
ted States the best part of California, while it proposes to 
leave the territory in dispute an uninhabited region. Bar- 
ren by nature, it is not likely to invite inhabitants till the 
better parts of the continent are settled. In a subsequent 
oral discussion between Mr. Trist and the Mexican com- 
missioners, it appears that the former was willing to 
abandon the claim to Lower California, and to refer the 
decision on the Nueces territory to the cabinet at Wash- 
ington.^ As between Mr. Trist and the Mexican com- 
missioners, the failure of the negotiation turned wholly 
on the claim of the south part of New Mexico ; for^ 
above the 37th degree Mexico had conceded every things 
and Mr. Trist, in the name of the United States, was 
willing to concede Lower California. New Mexico had 
never been claimed by the United States at all, previous 
to this negotiation, nor had we any plausible claim to it 
except that which President Polk had formally disclaimed, 
— that of conquest.^ 

The formal report made by the Mexican commissioners 
to the secretary for foreign relations, the 7th of Septem- 
ber, 1847, announced that the discussions had closed and 



' The Mexican commissioners' statement to the secretary of foreigiik 
affairs, dated Sept. 7th, 1847. 

' President Polk disclaimed conquest in his messages. 



NEGOTIATIONS CLOSED. 279 

the negotiations failed. In the mean time, various docu- 
ments had been issued by the Mexican authorities, which 
disclosed the fact that Mexico was not ready for peace. 
One was a protest of the representatives of the stales of 
Mexico, Jahsco, and Zacatecas, signed by Valentin Go- 
mez Farias and his colleague deputies, declaring that, un- 
der existing circumstances, " the city of Mexico would not 
allow the necessary freedom in its discussions and delib- 
erations, if Congress should assemble in that city, and that 
it would not comport with the dignity of the republic that 
its representatives should deliberate there on this matter." 
They also declared that any arrangement in regard to ex- 
ternal relations, " without the ratification of Congress," 
would be null and unconstitutional. They further affirm, 
that this step is taken with the express view to save the 
republic " from the ignominy which would inevitably at- 
tach to a treaty concluded and ratified under the guns of 
the enemy, and on the day succeeding unlooked-for re- 
verses."^ At the same time, the secretary of state issued 
a circular to the states of Puebla and Mexico, calling for a 
levy en masse, " in order that they may attack and harass 
the enemy with whatever weapons each may conveniently 
procure, whether good or bad, by fire and sword, and by 
every practicable means which it is possible to employ in 
the annihilating of an invading army." These and other 
declarations and documents, prove conclusively that, how- 
ever fairly and sincerely General Herrera and his col- 
leagues may have conducted the negotiations, yet, in fact, 
the Mexican population were indisposed to peace. 

' There is no evidence that any considerable number of Mexicans have 
ever been for peace. 



280 ARMISTICE TERMINATED. 

On the 6th of September, Scott had given General 
Santa Anna notice of certain breaches of the armistice. 
To this the Mexican chief replied with similar complaints. 
^ On the 7th, the failure of the negotiations became known, 
and General Scott took his measures for the recommence- 
ment of hostilities. 

XBefore we proceed, however, to narrate events of new 
and extraordinary interest in the valley of Mexico, we 
must turn aside to witness another and a sadder tragedy 
— one in which no rays of glory light up the darkness 
of death, but the gloomy curtains of despair and shame 
are drawn round the unpitied and unhonored crim- 
inal. Desertion in the face of an enemy, and during 
the existence of actual war, has been, among all nations 
and in all time, punished with death. It is treason — dis- 
loyalty — in its worst, least excusable, and most dangerous 
form. Of this crime, were " the companies of St. Pat- 
rick"^ palpably and undeniably guilty. They had fought in 
the ranks of the Mexican army, at the batteries of Churu- 
busco ; they had fought longest and hardest against those 
very colors which they had sworn to defend ; they were 
deserters, and many of them were taken prisoners. Soon 
after the battles of the 20ih, and while the negotiations 
were pending, twenty-nine of these men were tried by a 
general court-martial, of which Colonel Riley of the 2d 
infantry was president. The court found these men 
guilty, (two-thirds of the whole court concurring in each 
several case,) and sentenced each one of them to hang 
by the neck till dead. In a general order, dated the 8th 
of September, General Scott approved the sentence, with 

^ See the Report of General Riucon. 



EXECUTION OF THE DESERTERS. 281 

the exception of three, who had deserted previous to the 
commencement of the war, and two others, who were rec- 
ommended to favor by the court ; and four, in whose pallia- 
lion there appeared some mitigating circumstances, i The 
remainder were executed according to the sentence. Six- 
teen were executed at San Angel, on the 10th of Septem- 
ber. Six of the whole number tried were deserters from 
the 3d infantry, three from the 5th infantry, four from the 
7th infantry, two from the 2d infantry. Jive from the 3d ar- 
tillery, six from the 4th artillery, one from the 1st artillery, 
and tivo from the 2d dragoons. General Scott, in examin- 
ing the proceedings of the court, appears to have released 
every man from the penalty of death, in whose favor any 
reason or mitigation could be pleaded. Among the three 
whom he found were not legally subject to the penalty of 
death, because they had deserted previous to the commence- 
ment of the war, was the notorious Riley, the commander 
of the deserters' company. His sentence was commuted, 
so that he was lashed and branded. The lesson given by 
this terrible execution was undoubtedly a severe one, but 
one which war necessarily carries with it, and without 
which the discipline of the army could not be maintained^ 
On the 7th September, Scott, having determined to 
carry the city of Mexico by assault,- accompanied by Gen- 
eral Worth, made a reconnaissance of the formidable de- 
fences of the enemy immediately in front of Tacubaya, 
and commanding the principal causeway and the aqueduct 
supplying the city with water. This observation deter- 
mined the general-in-chief to attack what may be called 
the defences of Chapultepec. These were several, col- 
laterally supporting one another, and constituting on the 
whole a very strong jwint d^appui and support for the 
y2 



282 DESCRIPTION OF CHAPULTEPEC. 

Mexican army ; the larger part (if not the whole) was 
now assembled at this point. We must now take a view 
of these defences to understand the actions which ensued. 
Early on the same morning, Captain Mason of the engi- 
neers made a close and daring reconnaissance of the ene- 
my's line, round and on Chapultepec. The results of 
this investigation may be thus stated : 

The little village of Tacubaya, at which General 
Scott's headquarters had been now established nearly 
three weeks, is about two miles and a half from the city 
of Mexico. About twelve hundred yards north of it, 
just point-blank range for twelve-pounders, is the hill 
and fortified buildings of Chapultepec. At this point, 
the causeway branches off to the east, being about two 
miles in length to the city. The Tacubaya road passed 
on till, in two miles more, it entered the San Cosme 
causeway. These causeways are the avenues to the 
city ; and bombs and cannon of heavy calibre, placed on 
the hill of Chapultepec, could command them, and the 
city itself. The knowledge of this fact informs us, at 
once, why General Scott deemed it necessary to possess 
this castle, in order to take the city. Once possessed, 
the city must fall of course. Without it, the avenues 
to the city, and the city itself, would be exposed to the 
bombardment of the enemy's batteries. 

Let Us now examine in detail, the particular points of 
the defence. 

Chapultepec is a porphyritic rock, called in the Aztec 
language, "Grasshopper's Hill." It rose from the former 
margin of the lake — was the resort of the Aztec princes, 
and is the real site of the much-sought Halls of the 
Montezumas. Here are the remains of gardens, groves 



DESCRIPTION OF CHAPULTEPEC. 283 

and grottoes — the lingering remnants of that magnificence 
which adorned the ancient city of Mexico. Here also, 
the Spanish viceroys selected their residence, as the 
most beautiful spot in the valley of Mexico. And here 
was now placed the Military college. The cadets of the 
institution were now among its defenders. The build- 
ings on the top were well fortified, and the base of the 
hill was nearly surrounded by a thick stone-wall. On 
the north, east, and south, this hill was abrupt and 
stony. On the west only (from the city) it seemed to 
permit any approach. On this side, down the slope, was 
a heavy forest. On this side, the American commander 
determined to assault it ; but here also, were formidable 
defences. 

El Molino del Rey is just at the foot of this hill- 
slope — adjoins the grove of trees, and is a stone building 
of thick and high walls, with towers at the end. This 
was strongly garrisoned, and made a sort of depot, and 
was supposed to have been used as a foundry recently, 
though really built for mills, and called, "the King's Mill." 

Casa de Mata is another massive, thick-walled stone 
building, standing about four hundred yards to the west 
of Molino del Rey, and in a straight line with that 
and the castle of Chapultepec. It is also at the foot 
of a gentle declivity or ridge, descending from the village 
of Tacubaya. 

It follows then, from this topographical survey, that 
Chapultepec is a position commanding all the roads 
around, and that this position can be approached only on 
one side, on which is a grove of trees ; and that at the 
foot of this slope, lie Molino del Rey and Casa de Mata, 
well defended, so that the first attack must necessarily 



284 DESCRIPTION OF CHAPULTEPEC. 

be made on Molino del Rey, or Chapultepec could not 
be taken ; and if not taken, there was no safe passage 
to the city. The first thing to be done then, was the 
storming of Molino del Rey. 

Accordingly, after the reconnaissance of the 7th, Gen- 
eral Scott ordered General Worth with the 1st division, 
reinforced by Cadwallader's brigade, and a detachment 
of dragoons and artillery, to attack and carry the lines 
and defences of the enemy at the foot of the hill ; 
capture Molino del Rey ; destroy the supposed materiel 
there ; and then withdraw again to the village of Ta- 
cubaya.^ 

The position of the enemy was well selected to de- 
fend the naturally strong grounds they had assumed. His 
left rested upon and occupied the stone building, Molino 
del Rey ; his right, in the same manner, rested upon the 
stone building called Casa de Mata. Midway between 
these was his field-battery, and on each side of it was his 
lines of infantry.^ The Mexican account of the position 
of their army does not differ essentially from that given 
by our oflficers. It states, that the left wing of their army 
rested on Molino del Rey, close to the forest of Chapul- 
tepec ; that this point was commanded by General Leon, 
who had the battalion of Mina, and the battalions of 
Union and La Patria of Oaxaca, the companies of Puebla, 
and a body from Queretaro, all composed of National 
Guards. The right wing rested on the Casa de Mata, and 
was composed of the brigade of General Perez, fifteen 



* Official Despatch of General Worth, dated Sept. lOlh, 1847. 
' General Worth's Report. 



ATTACK ON MOLINO DEL REY. 285 

hundred of the regular army.' Independent of these 
strongly-garrisoned fortresses, the Mexican army, to the 
number of at least ten thousand men, under the command 
of Santa Anna, were posted as above described, in a line 
with a field-battery between posts. The corps ordered 
by General Scott to the attack of this line was composed 
as follows : 

1st division, (General Worth,) . . about 2,000 
Cadwallader's brigade, (11th, 14th, and Voltigeurs) 784 
Three squadrons of dragoons and company of 

mounted riflemen, under Major Sumner, . . 270 
Drum's battery, (three field-pieces,) i ^^^ 

Huger's battery, (two 24-pounders,) ) 

Total corps of General Worth,^ . men 3,154 

It must be recollected, however, that when this arrange- 
ment was made, no one in the American army knew the 
real strength of the fortified posts occupied by the Mexi- 
can army. Worth made the most judicious arrangements 
for the attack. The object in view was to break up, 1 st, 
the enemy's lines of intrenchments, and, 2dly, to destroy 
the munitions in MoUno del Rey, after which the troops 
were to retire. Those defences being completely under 
. the guns of the castle of Chapultepec, it may be assumed 
that the commanding-general deemed it unnecessary to 
retain the troops in that exposed situation, when the ob- 



' Extract from the Boletin, Mexican newspaper. 
» General Worth's Report. 



286 ATTACK ON MOLINO DEL REY. 

ject for which they had gone there had been accotn- 
phshed. 

Worth divided his corps into three cohimns, with a 
reserve, to act respectively against the wings and centre 
of the enemy. 1st. The right column (opposite the en- 
emy's left, Molino del Rey) was composed of Garland's 
brigade, to look at and in time attack El Molino. This 
column was accompanied by Captain Drum, and two 
pieces of artillery. To attack with this column, and thus 
keep in check Chapultepec and its defences. Captain 
Huger's battery of 24-pounders was placed on the ridge 
descending from Tacubaya, and at about six hundred 
yards from El Molino. 2d, A storming party of five 
hundred picked men was placed to the left of this bat- 
tery, under the command of Major Wright of the 8th 
infantry, to assail the enemy's centre, and capture his 
field-battery. 3d. The second brigade (now under the 
command of Colonel M'Intosh) was placed higher up the 
ridge, accompanied by Duncan's battery, to watch the 
enemy's left, support Major Wright, or assail, as circum- 
stances might require, Cadwallader's brigade was held 
in reserve, in a position between the last column ( M'In- 
tosh' s) and the battering guns, that they might support 
either column, as they might need. Sumner's dragoons 
were on the extreme left, guarding that flank. Such 
were the dispositions made by WortW on the night of the 
7th of September. At 3 o'clock on the morning of the 
8th, the columns were put in motion, and at daylight they 
were all in their respective positions. At half-past 4 
A, M,, when things could be distinctly seen, the battle 



See Worth's Official Report. 



A.TTACK ON MOLINO DEL REY. 287 

began by the firing of Huger's battery (24-pounders) on 
Molino del Rey, which continued till that strong point 
was sensibly shaken.^ At this time, the storming party 
under Major Wright rushed forward, under the guidance 
of Captain Mason of the engineers, and Lieut. Foster. 
They were received unexpectedly with a tremendous 
fire of artillery. They still dashed on, drove the artillery- 
men from their pieces, and had actually taken the bat- 
tery, when the enemy, perceiving how small was the body 
of men by whom he was dispossessed, re-rallied, and the 
infantry of their whole line poured in a destructive fire. 
Here no less than eleven out of only fourteen officers were 
either killed or wounded ! The column was driven back 
for a moment, and the Mexican troops regained possession 
of the disputed point. They are said to have killed 
nearly all the wounded left on the field.^ The light bat- 
talion left to cover Huger's battery, and the right wing 
of Cadwallader's brigade, under Captain Kirby Smith, 
were now ordered forward. They came gallantly into ac- 
tion. The enemy's line was defeated. The contested 
point was carried, and the two wings of the enemy, Mo- 
lino del Rey and Casa de Mata, were left isolated. 

On our right the battle raged with equal fury and with 
equal success. Garland's brigade, sustained by Drum's 
artillery, assaulted the left of the enemy at Molino del 
Rey, and after a hot conflict drove him from that appa- 
rently impregnable position under the guns of Chapulte- 
pec. On the left of our army, at Casa de Mata, another 
fearful and bloody action was maintained. The brigade 



' General Worth's Official Report. 

* Letter from an officer in the New York Courier and Enquirer. 



288 ATTACK ON MOLINO DEL REY. 

of Colonel M'lntosh moved on, till by coming in front of 
Duncan's battery, that was for a time silent, and the ad- » 
vancing column assaulted Casa de Mata. Again the en- 
emy's defences proved stronger than had been anticipated. 
Instead of field intrenchments, or an old house, it was a 
strong stone citadel, with bastions and ditches. Within 
musket range, a deadly fire of musketry was opened upon 
the advancing column. Still the column rushed on till it 
reached the very verge of the parapet ! Again did the 
heroes of Mexico fall within sight of victory. M'lntosh, 
Scott, Waite, had now fallen, and the column fell back to 
the left of Duncan's battery, again to rally, and again to 
charge. Just as this attack was made, a heavy column 
of cavalry and infantry was seen defiling round the ene- 
my's right upon our extreme left. Thousands of the 
Mexican lancers in bright uniform now came to crush 
apparently the small band who were storming Casa de 
Mata. Then it was that Duncan's battery, silent by the 
interposition of our storming column, moved rapidly to 
the extreme left, supported by the Voltigeurs, under Col- 
onel Andrews. As the Mexican column came within range 
of canister-shot, the battery opened an effective fire, 
which soon scattered its columns. At the same moment, 
Major Sumner's cavalry, formed on the left, charged and 
completed the rout. The retreat of our assaulting in- 
fantry had again opened Casa de Mata to the fire of our 
artillery. It was opened upon it. The Mexican infantry 
was already defeated. Their cavalry was already in 
flight. A few shots more from our artillery, and Casa de 
Mata was abandoned. All was now done that was at- 
tempted. Molino del Rey vC^as taken. Casa de Mata 
was taken. Fourteen thousand of the Mexican army, 



CASA DE MATA DESTROYED. 289- 

thus Strongly posted, had been defeated by one-fourth' 
their numbers. Fifty-two commissioned officers and eight 
hundred prisoners were captured. Great quantities of 
arms and ammunition were also taken. 

Casa de Mata was blown up, and the ammunition and 
other materiel of war found in Molino del Rey destroyed. 
When this was accomplished, these places were evacu- 
ated by the orders of the connnander-in-chief. It is evi- 
dent to all intelligent minds that they could not be held 
unless Chapultepec had also been carried ; for that, the 
corps under Worth were inadequate, and were not de- 
tached for that purpose. The testimony of General 
Worth, furnished in his official report, proves that after 
the most accurate and daring reconnaissance on the part 
of the engineers, and also by general officers, the impres- 
sion was left on the minds of all those officers, that the 
defences of Molino del Rey, and especially of Casa de 
Mata, were less strong than they really proved to be. 
They were thought likewise to be more important and 
valuable to the Mexican army than they really were, as 
depositories of munitions. General Scott, therefore, had 
detached an ample force to carry outposts of such a kind 
as were anticipated, but insufficient to carry, without too 
much loss, the castle of Chapultepec. The movement 
was necessary, however, for another and a different reason 
from those which have been given. Chapultepec must 
be carried. To do this, the destruction of the defences 
at the foot of the hill, and covering the Mexican army, 
was essential to success. The strength of those defences, 
unknown and impossible to know, was the only cause of 
the extraordinary loss, which rendered this proportionably 
the bloodiest battle of the war. One-fourth of Worth's 
z 19 



290 REFLECTIONS ON THE BATTLE. 

entire force were either killed or wounded ! Nor were 
the Mexicans less sorely injured. Desperately did they 
fight. Leon, their bravest general ; Balderez, the gal- 
lant colonel of the battalion of Mina ; Huerta, Moteos, 
and other distinguished officers, were lost on that fatal 
field. 

Such was the battle of Molino del Rey ; long to be 
remembered as the scene of extraordinary actions, and 
long grieved, as that which made the graves of brave and 
noble men. 

■ On the afternoon of the 8th, the corps of Worth, hav- 
ing accomplished the purpose of the battle, retired to 
Tacubaya, and the commander-in-chief directed his in- 
quiries to the defences of Mexico and the modes of over- 
coming them. On the 9th and 10th, reconnaissances 
were made in every practicable direction, especially by 
the engineers Lee, Beauregard, Stevens, and Tower, and 
also by the commander-in-chief. These reconnaissances 
were especially directed to the south and west. The San 
Antonia road (on which lay Antonia and Churubusco) 
came in on the south. This is the road, the reader will 
recollect, by which the army had advanced till after the 
battle of Churubusco. Then it diverged to the north- 
west, through Coyhoacan, San Angel, and Tacubaya. 
This road was, in fact, the great Acapulco road, passing 
southwest from the city of Mexico to the Pacific ocean, 
and which the army had reached by its bold and success- 
ful march round the Lake Chalco. The general-in-chief 
and engineer now sought, whether by this or any other 
route, they could most successfully approach and enter 
the city. The observations disclosed these facts, that 
there were 1^^, Five great roads leading to the city of 



DESCRIPTION OF MEXICO AND ITS DEFENCES, 291 

Mexico, viz. } the road to Vera Cruz, which the army 
had followed to Ayotla ; the road to Acapulco, by which 
it advanced to Antonia and Churubusco ; the road to To- 
luca, on which it now was, at Tacubaya ; the road to 
Guadalupe, by which Santa Anna finally retreated ; and 
the road to Tampico, which went northeast round Lake 
Tezcuco. 2d, These roads terminated in eight gates. 
Three of these gates were approached by causeways from 
the Acapulco road, viz. : the San Antonia, Perdido, and 
Piedad ; two by the Toluca road, by Tacubaya, viz. : 
Chapultepec and San Cosme. Each of the other three 
roads had a gate also. These gateways were small forts 
mounting cannon, which, in time of peace, were used as 
a sort of custom-houses, the city being unapproachable 
from any other quarter than these causeways. They were 
now converted into a sort of bastions for the city, or en- 
filading forts. Around the greater part of the city, es- 
pecially where these great roads approached, there was a 
great ditch, or canal, which it was almost impossible to 
bridge in face of the enemy's cannon and small-arms. 

Let the reader now conceive the city and defences of 
Mexico, as we have described their features. A large, 
regular, solid-built city, at the very bottom of a large, ob- 
long valley, surrounded by a lofty range of mountains. 
These mountains turn the water into the valley below, 
forming great Jakes, occupying no small part of the 
entire surface of the valley. The city is partially 
drained from these inundating waters ; but only par- 
tially so. Much the greatest part of the land between 
these lakes is, in the rainy season, a marsh, too wet and 

* Stealey's map of the environs of Mexico. 



292 DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY. 

boggy for wagons, or horses, or an army to pass. Over 
these bogs and wet grounds the great causeways are cut, 
and over them only can the city be approached. The 
entrances of these causeways are defended by the bas- 
tioned gateways : and finally, around the city is a canal, 
or ditch. It was now the wet season, and the ground 
was marshy and the lakes high. Such was the series of 
obstacles, natural and artificial, which, on the 9lh of Sep- 
tember, presented themselves to the experienced eye of 
General Scott. He saw himself with a small army, re- 
duced by bloody battles and severe sickness, in the heart 
of the valley of Mexico. In front, a city of two hundred 
thousand inhabitants, an army of twenty-five thousand 
men, and defences, which in other hands would seem im- 
pregnable ; and finally, with the line of his communica- 
tion, connecting )he army with the base of its supply, cut 
off ! This position was one, which can only be equalled 
in military history by the conquest of Egypt by Bonaparte, 
when his retreat was cut off by the English victory of 
Aboukir Bay. The difference is, that Napoleon was 
foiled, but the American general was not. Mexico had no 
St. Jean d'Acre for the general who had conquered at 
Niagara, at San d'Ulloa, at Cerro Gordo, and Churu- 
busco ! He marched on, and marched victoriously 
through all the obstacles of nature and of art ! 

On the 11th of September, Scott had completed all his 
reconnaissances, made his arrangements, and now had 
determined on the final assault. The general determined 
to attack the western, or southwestern gates, by the Cha- 
pultepec causeway ; but, to deceive the enemy, and econo- 
mize our own soldiers, he arranged a masked movement 
against the southern gates, while the real one was on the 



ATTACK ON THE CITY. 293 

Other side. The point of attack was Chapultepec. The 
mask movement was made by the divisions of Quitman 
and Pillow, in daylight, on the 11th, marching from Coy- 
hoacan to manoeuvre and make false attacks on the San 
Antonia road, before the gates of the south side. In the 
same manner Twiggs, with Riley's brigade, and Taylor's 
and Steptoe's batteries, was left in front of the same gates 
to threaten and act according to circumstances. The for- 
mer divisions (Pillow's and Quitman's) were to return by 
night to Tacubaya, while Twiggs still remained on the 
southern front ; Smith's brigade was posted at San Angel ; 
Worth's division remained with the general-in-chief, at 
Tacubaya. This was the position of the several corps 
on the afternoon of the llth.^ That night, the divisions 
of Pillow and Quitman moved up to Tacubaya, according 
to the orders of the general-in-chief, previously given ; 
Twiggs, with his brigade and batteries alone remaining, 
to keep up the appearance of attack on the south side. 

All things were now ready for the full development of 
the assault. The point d^appui for the enemy was the 
Castle of Chapultepec, and constituted the point of attack 
for the American army — commanding with its cannon, 
the Chapultepec and San Cosmo causeways. We have 
already described the hill of Chapultepec, a steep, bluff, 
rocky height, rising one hundred and fifty feet above the 
surrounding grounds, and defended by a strong castle of 
thick stone walls. The whole fortress or work of defence, 
is about nine hundred feet in length ; and the terre-plein 
and main buildings, about six hundred feet. 

The following account is given by an officer of the army 



' Scott's Official Report, dated SepL 18th, 1847, No. 34. 
Z2 



294 DESCRIPTION OF CHAPULTEPEC. 

"The Castle is about ten feet high, and the whole 
structure, including the wings, bastions, parapets, re- 
doubts, and batteries, is very strongly built, and of the 
most splendid architecture. A splendid dome decorates 
the top, rising in great majesty about twenty feet above 
the whole truly grand and magnificent pile, and near 
which is the front centre, supported by a stone arch, 
upon which is painted the coat-of-arms of the republic, 
where once floated the tri-colored banner, but is now 
decorated by the glorious stars and stripes of our own 
happy land. Two very strongly-built stone walls sur- 
round the whole ; and at the west end, where we storm- 
ed the works, the outer walls are some ten feet apart, 
and twelve or fifteen feet high, over which we charged 
by the help of fascines. It was defended by heavy ar- 
tillery, manned by the most learned and skilful gunners 
of their army, including some French artillerists of dis- 
tinction. The infantry force consisted of the officers 
and students of the institution, and the national guards, 
and chosen men of war of the republic — the whole under 
the command of General Bravo, whom we made prisoner. 
The whole hill is spotted with forts and outposts, and 
stone and mud walls, which were filled with their picket 
or castle guard. A huge high stone-wall extends around 
the whole frowning craggy mount, and another along the 
southeast base, midway from the former and the castle. 
A well-paved road leads up in a triangular form to the 
main gate, entering the south terre-plein ; and the whole 
works are ingeniously and beautifully ornamented with 
Spanish fastidiousness and skill."^ 

* Letter of Lieut. Sutteu, of the 15th Infantry, in the Union. 



ATTACK ON CHAPULTEPEC. 295 

This was now to be assaulted — and the next step was, 
on tlie night of the 11th, the erection of batteries which 
would command the fortress. The ground for these 
was traced out by Captains Huger and Lee, and they 
were thus placed : 

Battery No. 1, mounted two eighteen-pounders, and 
one eight-inch mortar, and was commanded by Captain 
Drum. This battery was about six hundred yards from 
the castle, just to the left of the Tacubaya road. 

Battery No. 2, mounted one twenty-four pounder, and 
one eight-inch mortar, and was commanded by Captain 
Hagner, of the Ordnance. This battery was placed to 
the front and to the left of Tacubaya, a little further from 
the castle. 

Battery No. 3, mounted one eighteen-pounder, and one 
eight-inch mortar. This was placed half way between 
Tacubaya and Molino del Rey, and was commanded by 
Captain Brooks and Lieutenant Anderson, of the 2d ar- 
tillery, alternately. 

Battery No. 4, was placed near Molino del Rey — was 
commanded by Lieutenant Stone, of the Ordnance, and 
mounted one large mortar. 

The object of these batteries was to cripple the de- 
fences of the castle, preparatory to an assault. Ac- 
cordingly, the next morning, (the 12th,) these batteries 
being in position, commenced firing at daylight. The 
air was filled with blazing fuzes and whirling balls. 
Every ball went through the building, and every shell 
tore up the ramparts — while from the bastions and bat- 
teries of Chapultepec, the enemy rained down an in- 
cessant fire upon the assailants below. Such was the 
work of the 12th — closed only when daylight disap- 



296 STORMING OF THE CASTLE. 

peared, and left the troops to darkness and to a short 
repose. 

The divisions of Pillow and Quitman were in posi- 
tion on the night of the 11th, waiting for orders. Twiggs 
was still firing away at the southern gates, to divert and 
deceive the enemy. On the afternoon of the 12th, 
Smith's brigade (stationed at San Angel) was moved up 
to Piedad, a small village two miles from Chapultepec- 
General Scott had appointed the momentary cessation of 
fire from our batteries, as a signal of assault. This was 
to take place in two columns, commanded respectively 
by Generals Quitman and Pillow, each preceded by a 
storming party of two hundred and fifty select men ; and 
the whole supported by Worth's division in reserve. 
The storming party for Pillow, was furnished from Worth's 
division, and commanded by Captain McKenzie, of the 
2d artillery. The storming party of Quitman's column 
was furnished by Twiggs' division, and commanded by 
Captain Casey, of the 2d infantry. 

At 8 A. M., on the morning of the 13th, the general-in- 
chief sent word, by his aids, to Pillow and Quitman, that 
the concerted signal was about to be given. ^ The bri- 
gade of General Smith had left Piedad, at 6 a. m., and 
was now arrived on the ground. It was to act with the 
column of Quitman. The column of Pillow was to ad- 
vance on. the west side, that of Quitman on the southeast. 
The reserve under Worth was to turn the castle, and 
come into the road on the north, there either to assist in 
the assault or cut off the retreat of the enemy. 

This entire plan was successfully carried out. Both 

* General Scott's OfScial Report. 



STORMING OF THE CASTLE. 297 

columns charged with alacrity at 9 a. m. of the ISth. 
Pillow advanced through an open grove on the west, filled 
with sharpshooters. These were speedily dislodged, and 
the column emerged into an opening at the foot of the rocky 
acclivity. Here General Pillow was wounded, and the 
command devolved on General Cadwallader.^ The bro- 
ken acclivity was still to be ascended, and a redoubt half- 
way up to be carried. Bravely led by gallant officers, 
bravely did the men advance. Slowly, but surely 
did they advance ; step by step the ground is gained. 
Now the first battery is taken ! Now the soldiers march 
over mines !^ Now the match is lighted to fire them ! 
The man is shot down, and the assailants are safe, from 
all but this terrible shower of balls ! Now they reach 
the ditch, and the stone wall is beyond. The fas- 
cines-'' are applied — the ditch is bridged. The scaling 
ladders are applied to that massive wall, and they mount ! 
they mount ! The castle is carried, and now the flags of 
these brave regiments fly on its ramparts ! The loud 
hurrah resounds through the ranks ! 

But what is doing by the column of the brave Quit- 
man ? Have they no part ? As bravely, and as actively, 
and successfully did they storm the rock-built castle of 
Chapultepec. 



' Official Report. 

^ General Scott, in his Official Report, says that men in attempting to 
fire the mines were shot down. General Bravo, who commanded, says 
that the engineer who had charge of them disappeared, and they could 
not be fired. Both statements are no doubt true. 

' Fascines are bundles of withes, or sticks, tied round and filled up with 
earth, to fill up ditches. 



298 STORMING OF THE CASTLE. 

Moving over a causeway from Tacubaya, flanked on 
either side by deep ditches, and cut in several places, 
Quitman had little room to manoeuvre, while in front was 
a strong body of the enemy, and two or three small pieces. 
All these obstacles were overcome, the enemy routed, and 
the volunteers of Quitman, of New York, of Pennsylva- 
nia, and of South Carolina, arrived in time to join the 
storming parties, as they scaled the walls of Chapultepec. 
Here, too, the " Rifles," so often distinguished, joined the 
assault, and shared in the bloodiest adventures of the 
day. An ofiicer of that gallant corps thus^describes the 
scene : 

" After about an hour's hard firing, the enemy's fire be- 
gan to slacken, and the word was given to charge. We 
rushed forward, and in three minutes we carried the 
first battery. The rifles entered the battery with the 
storming party, which was commanded by one of its cap- 
tains. We followed the fugitives close up to the aque- 
duct, and, turning to the left, clambered up the steep path 
to the castle. The enemy were running down in crowds, 
and the slaughter was tremendous in the road and orchard. 
Our men were infuriated by the conduct of the Mexicans 
at Molino del Rey, and took but few prisoners. The 
castle was completely torn to pieces ; nearly every part 
was riddled by our shot, while the pavements and fortifi- 
cations were completely torn up by the shells. In it 
were crowds of prisoners of every rank and color ; among 
whom were fifty general officers, and about a hundred 
cadets of the Mexican military academy. The latter 
were pretty little fellows, from ten to sixtee*i years 
of age. Several of them wei'e killed fighting like de- 
mons, and indeed they showed an example of cour- 



CHAPULTEPEC TAKEN. 299 

age worthy of imitation by some of their superiors in 
rank."* 

Thus was Chapultepec taken. Its rocky heights — its 
strong batteries — its mihtary college — its mines — its suc- 
coring army — were all in vain. The heroes who had 
stormed the hill of Contreras, the intrenchments of Chu- 
rubusco, and the King's Mill, failed not here. Ciiapul- 
tepec is taken, and the great causeways to Mexico are no 
longer defended by fortresses. The gates alone remain. 

Just at this time the general-in-chief arrived at the 
castle, and took a coup d'ail view of the whole field, as it 
lay around the city of Mexico. His determination was 
instantly taken. On the right, the road passed on to the 
Belen gate ; on the left, it passed to the San Cosmo 
causeway and gate. Worth had turned the castle during 
the conflict, passed round to the north centre of Chapul- 
tepec, and there attacked the right wing of the Mexican 
army on the road. Now he had already pursued the ene- 
my, and was marching on the San Cosmo road. Quitman 
on the other hand was pursuing the enemy by the cause- 
way to the Belen gate. Scott knew that the San Cosmo 
gate was easier taken than the Belen, and therefore or- 
dered Cadvvallader's brigade and other forces up to Worth, 
intending his to be the main attack. He garrisoned Cha- 
pultepec with the 15th regiment of infantry, and after 
sending guns and ammunition to both Worth and Quit- 
man, and taking care of the ordnance and prisoners, he fol- 
lowed Worth's division on the San Cosmo road. This 
corps soon come to a suburb, just in front of the gate of 
San Qosmo, and there found the enemy again prepared 

^ Letter in the New York Courier and Enquirer. 



300 ATTACK ON THE CITY. 

for battle, behind ditches, and on the flat roofs of houses, 
making the village a fortification, and defending it inch by 
inch. The pioneers, with picks and crowbars, soon made 
their way through windows and houses, burrowing their 
way. The mountain howitzers began to play, and by 8 p. m. 
the positions were carried, and Worth quietly rested his 
troops in the suburbs of Mexico. A single gate, unable 
to make successful resistance now, alone raised its feeble 
barrier between the northman and the now humbled con- 
querors of the Aztecs. 

On the other causeway the scene was yet more remark- 
able. Quitman, reinforced with Smith's brigade, in the 
ardor of pursuit had carried an intermediate battery, and 
actually entered the Belen gate, after a hard battle. The 
capture of the Belen gate is thus described by an officer 
of the "^Rifles." 

" Again we commenced our slow and deadly march, as 
we gradually approached the garita, or gate of the city, 
the enemy retreating slowly before us. As soon as they 
crossed the gate a tremendous fire of artillery opened 
upon us on both sides of the aqueduct as well as from 
two flanking batteries on both sides the road. Here our 
loss was very great. Slowly creeping from arch to arch, 
we lost many men by the batteries in front, while the fire 
from flanking batteries coming through the arches killed 
many who were safe from that in front. About noon we 
got close up to the garita, and the enemy's fire being 
partly silenced by our artillery in the road, and thus being 
driven out of the cross-battery on the left, we once more 
gave the rifle yell, and charged the garita. Again we 
were first, and at twenty minutes past one, of the 13lh of 
September, the regiment entered the city of Mexico. 



CITV KM'ERED. 301 

But our work was not yet ended. Directly in front was 
still another battery, with flanking batteries as before. 
Our regiment again went forward, and assisted by some 
others we occupied a house and some of the arches, and 
not only kept them off, but repelled four attempts at 
charges which they made. Meanwhile we had construct- 
. ed a battery of sand-bags ;it the garita, and kept up a 
sharp fire in front. Towards dark those in front were 
recalled, and all retired behind the batteries. That night 
the battery was completed, and the men slept on their 
arms in the arches of the aqueduct."^ 

Thus closed the 13th of September in the valley of 
Mexico. The morning had found the armies of the North 
and the South in a yet undecided position. It is true that 
victory had constantly granted her favors to the army of 
Scott ; but that army was small, and the columns of the 
enemy were numerous, and his defences strong. Cha- 
pultepec looked down from almost impregnable heights. 
The rays of the risen sun glanced from the plumes and 
swords and guns of twenty thousand men, Mexico poured 
out her throng to defend her gates and walls, and ditches 
and causeways raised their obstacles and embarrassments 
in the way of the American general. Night had now 
come, and all these arms, and fortresses, and soldiers, and 
obstacles had disappeared, as if charmed away by the 
magician's wand, before the triumphant energy of the 
northern soldier. The flag of the republic of the North 
waved in the evening breeze from the rock-built castle of 
Chapultepec, and now as the clouds of night gather in 
darkness round its summit, some famished dog may find 

* Letter in the New York Courier and Enquirer. 
AA 



302 CITY ASKS FOR TERMS. 

his meal on the cold flesh of its brave but unfortunate 
.defenders. The clouds will break away, and the stars 
beam out upon that lonely hill ; but from those cold 
bodies no cloud will break, no stars beam out on earth 
for the loved hearts who wait and watch for them.^ The 
victor rushes on !• ' Batteries are taken, causeways passed, 
and his cannon thunder and batter at the gates of Mexico. 
Night has found him too, and the sentinel alone keeps 
watch round the wearied soldier of America, whp sinks 
to rest with his garments yet rolled in blood. Neither 
the glorious drama of such a day, the grandeur of such a 
scene, nor the strange novelty of such events, can repel 
the weariness of fatigue, or prevent the necessity of re- 
pose. He sinks to rest as softly and calmly as the inno- 
cent child, and welcomes to his aching limbs and drowsy 
eyes, 

" Tired Nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep." 

Daylight of the 14th of September had scarcely arrived, 
when the Ayuntamiento (city council) of Mexico waited 
upon General Scott, informed him that both the Mexican 
government and army had marched out of the city some 
hours before, and demanded terms of capitulation.^ The 
general replied that the city was virtually in his power 
the night previous, and that the American army would 
come under no terms not self-imposed. About daylight 
he gave his orders to Worth and Quitman to advance and 
occupy the city. The corps of Quitman rushed forward, 



* Intercepted Mexican letters show that many of the Mexican officers 
were anxiously awaited by sisters, wives, and mothers. 

* Scott's Official Despatch. 



GEN. SCOTT ENTERS THE GRAND PLAZA. 303 

and soon the colors of its regiments were planted on the 
far-famed palace of Mexico. Worth's division had been 
delayed at the Alameda ; that the men who had entered 
the Belen gate the night before, might be first in the 
grand plaza. At 7 a. m., on the 14th of September, 
1847, the flag of the American Union was hoisted on the 
walls of the national palace in the city of Mexico. Soon 
after this event, at 9 a. m., a " tremendous hurrah broke 
from the corner of the plaza, and in a few minutes were 
seen the towering plumes and commanding form of our 
gallant old hero. General Scott, escorted by the 2d 
dragoons. The heartfelt welcome that came from our 
little band was such as Montezumas' Halls had never 
heard, and must have deeply affected the general."^ 

Soon after this a firing was heard, and it appeared that 
the Leperos, or mob of the city, with some liberated con- 
victs, had made an insurrection. A fire was opened on 
our men from the flat roofs of houses, from windows and 
corners of streets, by the vagabonds of the city, liberated 
convicts, and disbanded soldiers. This was not put down 
till twenty-four hours had passed, and till many were 
killed and wounded. The object was as much plunder, 
as hatred.^ 

We insert here the official report of the commander- 
in-chief. General Scott. 



' Letter of an officer of the Rifles. 
" Scott's Official Report. 



304 OFFICIAL DESPATCH OF GEN. SCOTT. 

Headquarters of the Army, i 
National Palace of Mexico, Sept. 18, 1847. J 

Sir : — At the end of another series of arduous and brilHant 
operations of more than forty-eight hours' continuance, this 
glorious army hoisted, on the morning of the 14th, the colors 
of the United States on the Avails of this palace. 

The victory of the 8th, at the Molino del Rey, was fol- 
lowed by daring reconnoissances on the part of our distin- 
guished engineers — Capt. Lee, Lieuts. Beauregard, Stevens, 
and Tower, — Major Smith, senior, being sick, and Capt. 
Mason, third in rank, wounded. Their operations were di- 
rected principally to the south — towards the gates of the 
Piedad, San Angel, (Nino Perdido,) San Antonio, and the 
Paseo de la Viga. 

This city stands on a slight swell of ground, near the 
centre of an irregular basin, and is girdled with a ditch in its 
greater extent — a navigable canal of great breadth and depth 
— very difficult to bridge in the presence of an enemy, and 
serving at once for drainage, custom-house purposes, and mili- 
tary defence ; leaving eight entrances or gates, over arches — 
each of which we found defended by a system of strong 
works, that seemed to require nothing but some men and guns 
to be impregnable. 

Outside and within the cross-fires of those gates, we found 
to the south other obstacles but little less formidable. All the 
approaches near the city are over elevated causeways, cut in 
many places (to oppose us), and flanked on both sides by 
ditches, also of vmusual dimensions. The numerous cross- 
roads are flanked in like manner, having bridges at the inter- 
sections, recently broken. The meadows thus checkered, are, 
moreover, in many spots, under water or marshy ; for, it will 
be remembered, we were in the midst of the wet season, 
thoufh with less rain than usual, and we could not wait for 



OFFICIAL DESPATCH OF GEN, SCOTT. 305 

the fall of the neighboring lakes and the consequent drainage 
of the wet grounds at the edge of the city — the lowest in the 
whole basin. 

After a close personal survey of the southern gates, covered 
by Pillow's division and Riley's brigade of Twiggs' — with four 
times our numbers concentrated in our immediate front — I de- 
termined on the 11th to avoid that net- work of obstacles, and 
to seek, by a sudden diversion, to the southwest and west, less 
unfavorable approaches. 

To economize the lives of our gallant officers and men, as 
well as to ensure success, it became indispensable that this res- 
olution should be long masked from the enemy ; and again, 
that the new movement, when discovered, should be mistaken 
for a feint, and the old as indicating our true and ultimate point 
of attack. 

Accordingly, on the spot, the 11th, I ordered Quitman's 
division from Coyoacan, to join Pillow, by daylight, before the 
southern gates, and then that the two major-generals, with 
their divisions, should, by night, proceed (two miles) to join 
me at Tacubaya, where I was quartered with Worth's di- 
vision. Twiggs, with Riley's brigade and Captains Taylor's 
and Steptoe's field batteries — the latter of 12-pounders — was 
left in front of those gates, to manoeuvre, to threaten, or to 
make false attacks, in order to occupy and deceive the enemy. 
Twiggs' other brigade (Smith's) was left at supporting dis- 
tance, in the rear, at San Angel, till the morning of the 13th, 
and also to support our general depot at Miscoac. The strata- 
gem against the south was admirably executed throughout 
the 12th and down to the afternoon of the 13th, when it was 
too late for the enemy to recover from the effects of his 
delusion. 

The first step in the neAV movement was to carry Chapul tepee, 
a natural and isolated moimd, of great elevation, strongly for- 
aa2 20 



306 OFFICIAL DESPATCH OF GEN, SCOTT. 

tified at its base, on its acclivities, and heights. Besides a 
numerous garrison, here was the military college of the re- 
public, with a large number of sub-lieutenants and other stu- 
dents. Those works were within direct gun-shot of the village 
of Tacubaya, and, until carried, we could not approach the 
city on the west, without making a circuit too wide and too 
hazardous. 

In the course of the same night (that of the 11th) heavy 
batteries, within easy ranges, were established. No. 1, on our 
right, under the command of Capt. Drum, 4th artillery, (re- 
lieved late next day, for some hours, by Lieut. Andrews of the 
3d,) and No. 2, commanded by Lieut. Hagner, ordnance — 
both supported by Quitman's division. Nos. 3 and 4 on the 
opposite side, supported by Pillow's division, were commanded, 
the former by Capt. Brooks and Lieut. S. S. Anderson, 2d 
artillery, alternately, and the latter by Lieut. Stone, ordnance. 
The batteries were traced by Capt. Huger and Capt. Lee, 
engineer, and constructed by them with the able assistance of 
the young officers of those corps and the artillery. 

To prepare for an assault, it was foreseen that the play of 
the batteries might run into the second day ; but recent cap- 
tures had not only trebled our siege pieces, but also our 
ammunition ; and we knew that we should greatly augment 
both by carrying the place. I was, therefore, in no haste in 
ordering an assault before the works were well crippled by 
our missiles. 

The bombardment and cannonade, under the direction of 
Capt. Huger, were commenced early in the morning of the 12th. 
Before nightfall, which necessarily stopped our batteries, we 
had perceived that a good impi'ession had been made on the 
castle and its outworks, and that a large body of the enemy 
had remained outside, towards the city, from an early hour to 
avoid our fire, and to be at hand on its cessation, in order to 



\ 

OFFICIAL DESPATCH OF GEN. SCOTT. 307 

reinforce the garrison aafainst an assault. The same outside 
force was discovered the next morning, after our batteries had 
reopened upon the castle, by which we again reduced its gar- 
rison to the minimum needed for the guns. 

Pillow and Quitman had been in position since early in the 
night of the 11th. Major-general Worth was now ordered to 
hold his division in reserve, near the fomidry, to support 
Pillow ; and Brigadier-general Smith, of Twiggs' division, had 
just arrived with his brigade from Piedad, (2 miles,) to sup- 
port Quitman. Twiggs' guns, before the southern gates, again 
reminded us, as the day before, that he, with Riley's brigade 
and Taylor's and Steptoe's batteries, was in activity, threaten- 
ing the southern gates, and there holding a great part of the 
Mexican army on the defensive. 

Worth's di^asion furnished Pillow's attack with an assaulting 
party of some 250 volunteer officers and men, under Capt. 
McKenzie, of the 2d artillery ; and Twiggs' division supplied 
a similar one, commanded by Capt. Casey, 2d infantry, to 
Quitman. Each of those little columns was furnished with 
scaling ladders. 

The signal I had appointed for the attack was the momen- 
tary cessation of fire on the part of our heavy batteries. 
About 8 o'clock in the morning of the 13th, judging that the 
time had arrived by the effect of the missiles we had thrown, 
I sent an aid-de-camp to Pillow, and another to Quitman, with 
notice that the concerted signal was about to be given. Both 
colimins now advanced with an alacrity that gave assurance of 
prompt success. The batteries, seizing opportimities, threw 
shots and shells upon the enemy over the heads of our men, 
with good effoct, particularly at every attempt to reinforce the 
works from without to meet our assault. 

Major-general Pillow's approach, on the west side, lay 
through an open grove, filled with sharp-shooters, who were 



308 OFFICIAL DESPATCH OF GEN. SCOTT. 

speedily dislodged ; when being up with the front of the at- 
tack, and emerging into open space, at the foot of a rocky ac- 
clivity, that gallant leader was struck down by an agonizing 
wound. The immediate command devolved on Biiijadier- 
general Cadwallader, in the absence of the senior brigadier 
(Pierce) of the same division — an invalid since the events of 
August 19. On a previous call of Pillow, Worth had just 
sent him a reinforcement — Colonel Clarke's brigade. 

The broken acclivity was still to be ascended, and a strong 
redoubt, midway, to be carried, before reaching the castle on 
the heights. The advance of our brave men, led by brave 
officers, though necessarily slow, was unwavering, over rocks, 
chasms, and mines, and under the hottest fire of cannon and 
musketry. The redoubt now yielded to resistless valo", and 
the shouts that followed announced to the castle the fate that 
impended. The enemy were steadily diiven from shelter to 
shelter. The retreat allowed not time to fire a single mine, 
without the certainty of blowing up friend and foe. Those 
who at a distance attempted to apply matches to the long 
trains, were shot down by our men. There was death below, 
as well as above ground. At length the ditch and wall of 
the main work were reached ; the scaling ladders were 
brought up and planted by the storming parties ; some of 
the daring spirits first in the assault were cast down — killed 
or wounded ; but a lodgment was soon made ; streams of 
heroes followed ; all opposition was overcome, and several of 
our regimental colors flung out from the upper walls, amidst 
long-continued shouts and cheers, which sent dismay into 
the capital. No scene could have been more animating or 
glorious. 

Major-general Quitman, nobly supported by Brigadier- 
generals Shields and Smith, (P. F.,) his other officers and 
men, was up with the part assigned him. Simultaneously with 



OFFICIAL DESPATCH OF GEN. SCOTT. 309 

the movement on the west, he had gallantly approached the 
southeast of the same works, over a causeway with cuts and 
batteries, and defended by an army strongly posted outside, 
to the e;ist of the works. Those formidable obstacles Quit- 
man had to face, with but little shelter for his troops or 
space for manoeuvring. Deep ditches flanking the causeway, 
made it difficult to cross on either side into the adjoining 
meadows, and these again were intersected by other ditches. 
Smith and his biigade had been eai-ly thrown out to make 
a sweep to the right, in order to present a front against the 
enemy's line, (outside,) and to turn two intervening batteries 
near the foot of Chapultepec. This movement was also in- 
tended to support Quitman's storming parties, both on the 
causeway. The first of these, furnished by Twiggs' division, 
was commanded in succession by Captain Casey, 2d infantry, 
and Captain Paul, Tth infantry, after Casey had been severely 
wounded ; and the second, originally under the gallant Major 
Twiggs, marine corps, killed, and then Captain Miller, 2d 
Pennsylvania volunteers. The storming party, now com- 
manded by Captain Paul seconded by Captain Roberts, of 
the rifles. Lieutenant Stewart, and others of the same regi- 
ment. Smith's brigade, carried the two batteries in the road, 
took some guns, with many prisoners, and drove the enemy 
posted behind in support. The New York and South Caro- 
lina volunteers (Shields' brigade) and the 2d Pennsylvania 
volunteers, all on the left of Quitman's line, together with 
portions of his storming parties, crossed the meadows in front, 
under a heavy fire, and entered the outer enclosure of Chapul- 
tepec just in time to join in the final assault from the west. 

Besides Major-generals Pillow and Quitman, Brigadier- 
generals Shields, Smith, and Cadwallader, the following are 
the officers and corps most distinguished in those brilliant 
4:)perations : The voltigeur regiment in two detachments, com- 



310 OFFICIAL DESPATCH OF GEN. SCOTT. 

manded respectively by Colonel Andrews and Lieutenant- 
colonel Johnstone — the latter mostly in the lead, accompanied 
by Major Caldwell ; Captains Barnard and Biddle, of the 
same regiment — the former the first to plant a regimental 
color, and the latter among the first in the assault; the 
storming party of Worth's division, under Captain McKeozie, 
2d artillery, with Lieutenant Seldon, 8th infantry, early on 
the ladder and badly wounded ; Lieutenant Armistead, 6 th 
infantry, the first to leap into the ditch to plant a ladder ; 
Lieutenants Rodgers of the 4th, and J. P. Smith of the 5th 
infantry — both mortally wounded ; the 9th infantry, under 
Colonel Ransom, who was killed while gallantly leading that 
gallant regiment; the 15th infantry, under Lieutenant-colonel 
Howard and Major Woods, with Captain Chase, whose com- 
pany gallantly carried the redoubt, midway up the acclivity ; 
Colonel Clarke's brigade (Worth's division) consisting of the 
5 th, 8th, and part of the 6 th regiments of infantry, com- 
manded respectively by Captain Chapman, Major Mont- 
gomery, and Lieutenant Edward Johnson — ^the latter specially 
noticed, with Lieutenants Longstreet, (badly wounded, ad- 
vancing, colors in hand,) Pickett, and Merchant, the last three 
of the 8th infantry ; portions of the United States marines. 
New York, South Carolina, and 2d Pennsylvania volunteers, 
which, delayed with their division (Quitman's) by the hot en- 
gagement below, arrived just in time to participate in the 
assault of the heights — particularly a detachment under Lieu- 
tenant Reid, New York volunteers, consisting of a company 
of the same, with one of marines ; and another detachment, 
a portion of the storming party, (Twiggs' division, serving 
with Quitman,) under Lieutenant Steele, 2d infantry, after 
the fall of Lieutenant Gantt, Yth infantry. 

In this connection, it is but just to recall the decisive effect 
of the heavy batteries, Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4, commanded by 



OFFICIAL DESPATCH OF GEN. SCOTT. 311 

those excellent officers. Captain Drum, 4th artillery, assisted 
by Lieutenants Benjamin and Porter of his own company ; 
Captain Brooks and Lieutenant Anderson, 2d artillery, as- 
sisted by Lieutenant Russell, 4th infantry, a volunteer ; Lieu- 
tenants Hagner and Stone of the ordnance, and Lieutenant 
Andrews, 3d artillery ; the whole superintended by Captain 
Huger, chief of ordnance with this army — an officer dis- 
tinguished by every kind of merit. The mountain howitzer 
battery, under Lieutenant Reno, of the ordnance, deserves, 
also, to be particularly mentioned. Attached to the volti- 
geurs, it followed the movements of that regiment, and again 
won applause. 

In adding to the hst of individuals of conspicuous merit, I 
must limit myself to a few of the many names which might 
be enumerated : Captain Hooker, assistant adjutant-general, 
who won special applause, successively, in the staff of Pillow 
and Cadwallader ; Lieutenant Lovell, 4th artillery, (wounded,) 
chief of Quitman's staff; Captain Page, assistant adjutant- 
general, (wounded,) and Lieutenant Hammond, 3d artillery, 
both of Shields' staff, and Lieutenant Van Dorn, (7th in- 
fantry,) aid-de-camp to Brigadier-general Smith. 

Those operations all occurred on the west, southeast, and 
heights of Chapullepec. To the north and at the base of the 
mound, inaccessible on that side, the 11th infantry, under 
Lieut. Col. Hebert, the 14th, under Col. Trousdale, and Capt. 
Magruder's field battery, 1st artillery — one section advanced 
under Lieut. Jackson — all of Pillow's division — had, at the 
same time, some spirited affairs against superior numbers, 
driving the enemy from a battery in the road, and capturing a 
gun. In these, the officers and corps named gained merited 
praise. Colonel Trousdale, the commander, though twice 
wounded, continued on duty until the heights were carried. 

Early uithe morning of the 13th, I repeated the orders of 



312 OFFICIAL DESPATCH OF GEN. SCOTT. 

the night before to Major-general Worth, to be, with his 
division at hand, to support the movement of Major-general 
Pillow from our left. The latter seems soon to have called 
for that entire division, standing momentarily in reserve, and 
Worth sent him Col. Clarke's brigade. The call, if not un- 
necessary, was at least, from the circumstances, unknown to me 
at the time ; for, soon observing that the very large body of 
the enemy, in the road in front of Major-general Quitman's 
right, was receiving reinforcements from the city — ^less than a 
mile and a half to the east — I sent instructions to Worth, on 
our opposite flank, to turn Chapultepec with his division, and 
to proceed, cautiously, by the road at its northern base, in 
order, if not met by very superior numbers, to threaten or to 
attack, in rear, that body of the enemy. The movement, it 
was also believed, could not fail to distract and to intimidate 
the enemy generally. 

Worth promptly advanced with his remaining brigade — 
Colonel Garland's — Lieut. Col. C. F. Smith's light battalion, 
Lieut. Col. Duncan's field battery — all of his division — and 
three squadrons of dragoons, under Major Sumner, Avhich I 
had just ordered up to join in the movement. 

Having turned the forest on the west, and arriving opposite 
to the north centre of Chapultepec, Worth came up with the 
troops in the road, under Col. Trousdale, and aided, by a flank 
movement of a part of Garland's brigade, in taking the one 
gun breastwork, then under the fire of Lieut. Jackson's section 
of Capt. , Magruder's field battery. Continuing to advance, 
this division passed Chapultepec, attacking the right of the 
enemy's line, resting on that road, about the moment of the 
general retreat consequent upon the capture of the formidable 
castle and its outworks. 

Arriving some minutes later, and mounting to the top of the 
castle, the whole field, to the east, lay plainly under my view. 



OFFICIAL DESPATCH OF GEN. SCOTT. 313 

There are two routes from Chapultepec to the capital — the 
one on the right entering the same gate, Belen, with the road 
from the south, via Piedad ; and the other obhquing to the 
left, to intersect the great western, or San Cosmo road, in a 
suburb outside of the gate of San Cosmo. 

Each of these routes (an elevated causeway) presents a 
double roadway on the sides of an aqueduct of strong mason- 
ry and great height, resting on open arches and massive 
pillars, which together afford fine points both for attack and 
defence. The sideways of both aqueducts are, moreover, 
defended by many strong breastworks at the gates, and before 
reaching them. As we had expected, we found the four 
tracks unusually dry and solid for the season. 

Worth and Quitman were prompt in pursuing" the retreating 
enemy — the former by the San Cosmo aqueduct, and the 
latter along that of Bclen. Each had now advanced some 
hundred yards. 

Deeming it all-important to profit by our successes, and the 
consequent dismay of the enemy, which could not be otherwise 
than general, I hastened to despatch from Chapultepec — first 
Clark's brigade, and then Cadwallader's, to the support of 
Worth, and gave orders that the necessary heavy guns should 
follow. Pierce's brigade was, at the same time, sent to Quit- 
man, and, in the course of the afternoon, I caused some 
additional siege pieces to be added to his train. Then, after 
designating the 15th infantry, under Lieut. Col. Howard — 
Morgan, the colonel, had been disabled by a wound at Churu- 
busco — as the garrison of Chapultepec, and giving directions 
for the care of the prisoners of war, the captured ordnance 
and ordnance stores, I proceeded to join the advance of 
Worth, within the suburb, and beyond the turn at the junction 
of the aqueduct with the great highway from the west to the 
gate of San Cosmo. 

BB 



314 OFFICIAL DESPATCH OF GEN. SCOTT. 

At this junction of roads, we first passed one of those 
formidable systems of city defences, spoken of above, and it 
had not a gun ! — a strong proof, 1. That the enemy had 
expected us to fail in the attack upon Chapultepec, even if we 
meant any thing more than a feint ; 2. That, in either case, 
we designed, in his belief, to return and double our forces 
against the southern gates — a delusion kept up by the active 
demonstrations of Twiggs and the forces posted on that side ; 
and, 3. That advancing rapidly from the reduction of Chapul- 
tepec, the enemy had not time to shift guns — our previous 
captures had left him, comparatively, but few — from the 
southern gates. 

Within those disgarnished works, I found oiir troops engaged 
in a street fight against the enemy posted in gardens, at win- 
dows, and on house-tops — all flat, with parapets. Worth 
ordered forward the mountain howitzers of Cadwallader's 
brigade, preceded by skirmishers and pioneers, with pickaxes 
and crowbars, to force windows and doors, or to burroAV 
through walls. The assailants were soon in an equality of 
position fatal to the enemy. By eight o'clock in the evening, 
Worth had carried two batteries in tliis suburb. According 
to my instructions, he here posted guards and sentmels, and 
placed his troops under shelter for the night. There was but 
one more obstacle — the San Cosmo gate, (custom-house,) be- 
tween him and the great square in front of the cathedral and 
palace, the heart of the city ; and that barrier it was known 
could not, by daylight, resist our siege guns thirty minutes. 

I had gone back to the foot of Chapultepec, the point from 
which the two aqueducts begin to diverge, some hours earlier, 
in order to be near that new depot, and in easy communication 
with Quitman and Twiggs, as well as with Worth. 

From this point I ordered all detachments and stragglers 
to their respective corps, then in advance ; sent to Quitman ad- 



OFFICIAL DESPATCH OF GKN. SCOTT. 315 

ditional siege guns, ammunition, intrenching tools ; directed 
Twiggs' remaining brigade (Riley's) from Piedad, to support 
Worth, and Captain Steptoe's field-battery, also at Piedad, to 
rejoin Quitman's division. 

I had been, from the first, well aware that the western or 
San Cosmo, was the less difficult route to the centre, and con- 
quest of the capital, and therefore intended that Quitman 
should only manoeuvre and threaten the Belen or southwest- 
ern gate, in order to favor the main attack by Worth, knowing 
that the strong defences at the Belen were directly under the 
guns of the much stronger fortress, called the Citadel, just 
within. Both of these defences of the enemy were also with- 
in easy supporting distance from the San Angel (or Nino Per- 
dido) and San Antonio gates. Hence the greater support, in 
nxmabers, given to Worth's movement as the main attack. 

These views I repeatedly, in the course of the day, commu- 
nicated to Major-general Quitman ; but being in hot pursuit — 
gallant himself, and ably supported by Brigadier-generals 
Shields and Smith, Shields badly wounded before Chapulte- 
pec, and refusing to retire, as well as by all the officers and 
men of the column — Quitman continued to press forward, 
under flank and direct fires, carried an intermediate battery of 
two guns, and then the gate, before two o'clock in the after- 
noon, but not without proportionate loss, increased by his 
steady maintenance of that position. 

Here, of the heavy battery, (4th artillery,) Captain Drum 
and Lieutenant Benjamin were mortally wounded, and Lieu- 
tenant Porter, its third in rank, slightly. The loss of those 
two most distinguished officers the army will long mourn. 
Lieutenants J. B. Morange and William Canty, of the South 
Carolina volimteers, also of high merit, fell on the same occa- 
sion, besides many of our bravest non-commissioned officers 
and men, particularly in Captain Drum's veteran company. I 



316 OFFICIAL DESPATCH OF GEN. SCOTT. 

cannot, in this place, give names or numbers ; but full Tetums 
of the killed and wounded, of all corps, in their recent opera- 
tions, will accompany this report. 

Quitman within the city — adding several new defences to 
the position he had won, and sheltering his corps as well as 
practicable — now awaited the return of daylight under the 
guns of the formidable citadel, yet to be subdued. 

About 4 o'clock next morning, (Sept. 14,) a deputation of 
the ayuntamiento (city council) waited upon me to report that 
the federal government and the army of Mexico had fled from 
the capital some three hours before ; and to demand terms of 
capitulation in favor of the church, the citizens, and the mu- 
nicipal authorities. I promptly replied, that I would sign no 
capitulation ; that the city had been virtually in our possession 
from the time of the lodgments effected by Worth and Quit- 
man the day before ; that I regretted the silent escape of the 
Mexican army ; that I should levy upon the city a moderate 
contribution, for special purposes ; and that the American 
army should come under no terms not self-imposed : such 
only as its own honor, the dignity of the United States, and 
the spirit of the age, should, in my opinion, imperiously de- 
mand and impose. 

For the terms, so imposed, I refer the department to subse- 
quent General Orders, Nos. 287 and 289, (paragraphs 7, 8, 
and 9 of the latter,) copies of which are herewith enclosed. 

At the termination of the inter^aew with the city deputation, 
I communicated, about daylight, orders to Worth and Quit- 
man to advance slowly and cautiously (to guard against treach- 
ery) towards the heart of the city, and to occupy its stronger 
and more commanding points. Quitman proceeded to the 
great plaza or square, planted guards, and hoisted the colors 
of the United St<ites on the national palace, containing the 
halls of Congress and executive departments of federal Mexico. 



OFFICIAL DESPATCH OF GEN. SCOTT. 317 

In this grateful service, Quitman might have been anticipated 
by Wortli, but for my express orders, halting the latter at the 
head of the Alameda, (a green park,) within three squares of 
that goal of general ambition. The capital, however, was not 
taken by any one or two corps, but by the talent, the science, 
the gallantry, the prowess of this entire array. In the glori- 
rious conquest, all had contributed, early aad powerfully, the 
killed, the wounded, and the fit for duty, at Vera Cruz, Cerro 
Gordo, Contreras, San Antonia, Churubusco, (three battles,) 
the Molino del Rey, and Chapultepec, as much as those who 
fought at the gates of Belen and San Cosmo. 

Soon after we had entered, and were in the act of occupy- 
ing the city, a fire was opened upon us from the flat roofs of 
the houses, from windows and corners of streets, by some two 
thousand convicts, liberated the night before by the flying 
government, joined by, pei'haps, as many Mexican soldiers, 
who had disbanded themselves, and thrown oflf their uniforms. 
This unlawful war lasted more than twenty-four hours, in 
spite of the exertions of the municipal authorities, and was not 
put down till we had lost many men, including several oflicers, 
killed or wounded, and had punished the miscreants. Their 
objects were to gratify national hatred, and in the general 
alarm and confusion, to plunder the wealthy inhabitants, par- 
ticularly the deserted houses. But families are now generally 
returning ; business of every kind has been resumed, and the 
city is already tranquil and cheerful, under the admirable 
conduct (with exceptions very few and trifling) of our gallant 
troops. 

This army has been more disgusted than surprised, that by 
some sinister process on the part of certain individuals at 
home, its numbers have been, generally, almost trebled in our 
public papers, beginning at Washington. 

Leaving, as we all feared, inadequate garrisons at Vera 
bb2 



318 OFFICIAL DESPATCH OF GEN SCOTT. 

Cruz, Perote, and Puebla, with much larger hospitals ; and 
being obliged, most reluctantly, from the same cause (general 
paucity of numbers) to abandon Jalapa, we marched (August 
7-10) from Puebla with only 10,Y38 rank and file. This num- 
ber includes the garrison of Jalapa, and the 2,429 men brought 
up by Brigadier-general Pierce, August 6. 

At Contreras, Churubusco, &c., [August 20,] we had but 
8,497 men engaged — after deducting the garrison of San 
Augustin, (our general depot,) the intermediate sick and the 
dead ; at the Molino del Rey, (September 8,) but three 
brigades, with some cavalry and artillery — making in all 3,251 
men — were in the battle ; in the two days — September 1 2th 
and 13th — our whole operating force, after deducting, again, 
the recent killed, wounded, and sick, together with the garri- 
son of Miscoac (the then general depot) and that of Tacubaya, 
was but 7,180 ; and, finally, after deducting the new garrison 
of Chapultepec, with the killed and wounded of the two days, 
we took possession, (September 14th,) of this great capital 
with less than 6,000 men. And I reassert, upon accumu- 
lated and unquestionable evidence, that, in not one of those 
conflicts was this army opposed by fewer than three-and-a-half 
times its numbers — in several of them, by a yet greater excess. 

I recapitulate our losses since we arrived in the basin of 
Mexico. 

August 19, 20. — Bailed, 137, including 14 officers. — 
Wounded, 877, including 62 officers. Missing, (probably 
killed,) .38 rank and file. Total, 1,052. 

September 8. — Killed, 116, including 9 officers. — Wounded, 
665, including 49 officers. Missing, 18 rank and file. Total, 789. 

September 12, 13, 14. — Killed, 130, including 10 officers. 
Wounded, 703, including 68 officers. Missing, 29 rank and 
file. Total, 862. 

Grand total of losses, 2,703, including 383 officers. 



OFFICIAL DESPATCH OF GEN. SCOTT. 319 

On the other hand, this small force has beaten on the same 
occasions in view of their capital, the whole Mexican army, of 
(at the beginning) thirty-odd thousand men — posted, always, 
in chosen positions, behind intrenchments, or more formidable 
defences of nature and art ; killed or wounded, of that num- 
ber, more than 7,000 officers and men ; taken 3,7-30 prisoners, 
one-seventh officers, including 13 generals, of whom 3 had 
been presidents of this republic ; captured more than 20 
colors and standards, 75 pieces of ordnance, besides 57 wall 
pieces, 20,000 small-arms, an immense quantity of shots, shells, 
powder, &c., &c. 

Of that enemy, once so formidable in numbers, appoint- 
ments, artillery, &c., twenty-odd thousand have disbanded 
themselves in despair, leaving, as is known, not more than 
three fragments — the largest about 2,500 — now wandering in 
different directions, without magazines or a military chest, and 
living at free quarters upon their own people. 

General Santa Anna, himself a fugitive, is believed to be 
on the point of resigning the chief-magistracy, and escaping to 
neutral Guatemala. A new President, no doubt, will soon be 
declared, and the federal Congress is expected to reassemble 
at Queretaro, 125 miles north of this, on the Zacatecas road, 
some time in October. I have seen and given safeconduct 
through this city to several of its members. The govern- 
ment will find itself without resources ; no army, no arsenals, 
no magazines, and but little revenue, internal or external. 
Still, such is the obstinacy, or rather infatuation, of this 
people, that it is very doubtful whether the new authorities 
will dare to sue for peace on the terms which in the recent 
negotiations, were made known by our minister. 

*** * **** 

In conclusion, I beg to enumerate, once more, with due 
commendation and thanks, the distinguished staff officers. 



320 OFFICIAL DESPATCH OF GEN. SCOTT. 

general and personal, who, in our last operations in front of 
the enemy, accompanied me, and communicated orders to 
every point and through every danger. Lieutenant-colonel 
Hitchcock, acting inspector-general ; Major Turnbull and 
Lieutenant Hardcastle, topographical engineers ; Major Kirby, 
chief paymaster ; Captain Irwin, chief quartermaster ; Captain 
Grayson, chief commissary ; Captain H. L. Scott, cliief in the 
adjutant-general's department ; Lieutenant Williams, aid-de- 
camp ; Lieutenant Lay, military secretary ; and Major J. P. 
Gaines, Kentucky cavalry, volunteer aid-de-carap ; Captain 
Lee, engineer, so constantly distinguished, also boi'e important 
orders from me, (September 13,) until he fainted from a wound 
and the loss of two nights' sleep at the batteries. Lieutenants 
Beauregard, Stevens, and Tower, all wounded, were employed 
with the divisions, and Lieutenants G. W. Smith and G. B. 
McClellan, with the company of sappers and miners. Those 
five lieutenants of engineers, like their captain, won the admi- 
ration of all about them. The ordnance officers. Captain 
Huger, Lieutenants Hagner, Stone, and Reno, were highly 
effective, and distinguished at the several batteries ; and I must 
add that Captain McKinstry, assistant quartermaster, at the 
close of the operations, executed several important commis- 
sions for me as a special volunteer. 

Surgeon-general Lawson, and the medical staff generally, 
were skilful and untiring, in and out of fire, in ministering to 
the numerous wounded. 

To illustrate the operations in this basin, I enclose two 
beautiful drawings, prepared under the directions of Major 
Turnbull, mostly from actual survey. 

I have the honor to be, sir, with high respect, your most 
obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

The Hon. Wm. L. Marcy, Secretary of War. 



REFLECTIONS ON THE EVENT. 321 

On the morning of the 18th of September all was 
quiet. Mexico, the capital of the ancient Aztecs — 
the seat of the Spanish-American empire in America — 
had passed from Aztec and from Spaniard, to the Anglo- 
American — the Northman of the Goths, the Saxon of Ger- 
many, the Englishman of America — the same bold, hardy, 
energetic, ingenious, invincible, ambitious, and adventu- 
rous being, whose genius the forms of civilization cannot 
confine, and to whose dominion continents are inadequate ! 
In what hour of time, or limit of space, shall this man of 
the moderns — this conqueror over land and seas, nations 
and governments — find rest, in the completion of his 
mighty progress ? Commencing his march in the cold 
regions of Scandinavia, no ice chilled his blood — no wil- 
derness delayed his steps — no labor wearied his industry — 
no arms arrested his march — no empire subdued his pow- 
er. Over armies and over empires — over lands and over 
seas — in heat and cold, and wilderness and flood — amidst 
the desolations of death and the decays of disease — this 
Northman has moved on in might and majesty, steady as 
the footsteps of Time, and fixed as the decrees of Fate ! 

How singular — how romantically strange is this — his 
wild adventure and marvellous conquest in the valley of 
valleys ! How came the Northman and the Moorish Celt 
here to meet, and here to battle, in this North-American 
valley? Look at it ! Inquire! Ask yourself how they 
came here ? Are they the citizens, by nature, of this con- 
tinent ? Are they the aborigines of these wild and won- 
derful forests ? Never ! How came they then to be con- 
tending for the lands and groves of those whose childre:; 
they are not ? 

In the beginning of the 16th century, Hernando Cortez 

21 



322 REFLECTIONS ON THE EVENT. 

landed on the coast of Mexico, and, at the head of Span- 
ish troops, marched on to the conquest of Mexico, over 
whose effeminate inhabitants the Spaniard has, for three 
hmidred years, held undivided dominion. Not many 
years after, the Anglo-Saxon landed on the coasts of the 
northern Atlantic. He, too, marched on to conquest. 
The native citizens of the forest disappeared before him. 
Forests, mountains, and Indians, were ineffectual to op- 
pose him. From the banks of the St. Lawrence to the 
Sabine of Texas, he is a conqueror over nature. In the 
south, the natives die, or become slaves to the Spaniard. 
In the north, they fade and perish before the Anglo- 
American. The one spreads his empire from the Gulf 
of Mexico to the far shores of California ; the other, from 
the hills of St. Francis to the mountains of Oregon. Both 
extend over breadths of land, and power of resources, 
unknown to the widest empire of antiquity. Egypt, and 
her millions, with the famed valley of the Nile, fade be- 
fore the broad magnificence, the mighty growth, of these 
American empires ! Even the terrible and far-seeing 
eagles of Rome grow dizzy and dim in their sight, as 
they look down from the summits of history upon these 
continental nations — these colossal giants of the modern 
world ! And now, this Spaniard and this Northman meet, 
in battle-panoply, in this valley of volcanoes, by the an- 
cient graves of unknown nations, on the lava-covered soil 
where nature once poured forth her awe-inspiring flames, 
and the brave Tlascalan once sung of glory and of great- 
ness ! Three centuries since, these warrior nations had 
left their homes beyond the wide Atlantic. Two thousand 
miles from each other, they had planted the seats of their 
empire ; and now, as if time in the moral world had com- 



REFLECTIONS ON THE EVENT. 323 

pleted another of its grand revolutions, they have met in 
mortal conflict. Like the eagle and the vulture, who 
had long pursued different circles in the heavens, and 
long made prey of the weak tenants of the air, their cir- 
cles have been enlarged till they cross each other. They 
shriek ! They fight ! The victorious eagle bears the 
vulture to the earth, and screams forth through the clouds 
his triumphant song ! Has the bold bird received no 
wound ? Has no blood tinged the feathers of his wing ? 
Is there no secret flow of life from the portals of his 
heart ? Will he continue to look, with unblenched eye, 
on the blazing glories of the sun? Hid in the eternal 
decrees of God, is the life of nations ; and not till He has 
drawn away the curtains of time, will mortals know the 
secrets of His will in the government of nations. 



the end. 



Parker\s Natural Philosophy. 



NATURAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHILOSOPHY. 

FOR SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIES, 

BY R. G. PARKER, A.M. 

PRINCIPAL OF THE JOHNSON GRAMMAR SCHOOL, BOSTON, AUTHOR OF AID8 
TO ENGLISH COMPOSITION, ETC., ETC. 



I. PARKER'S FIRST LESSONS IN NATURAL PHILOSOPHY. 
II. PARKER'S COMPENDIUM OF NATURAL AND EXPERIMENTAL 
PHILOSOPHY. 



PARKER'S FIRST LESSONS IN NATURAL PHILOSOPHY, 

Embracing the Elements of the Science. Illustrated with numerous 
engravings. Designed for young beginners. 

It is the design of this little book, to present to the minds of the 
youth of the country a view of the laws of Nature — as they are 
exhibited in the Natural World. 

Reading books should be used in schools for the double object of 
teaching the child to read, and storing his mind with pleasant and 
useful ideas. 

The form of instruction by dialogue, being the simplest, has 
been adopted — and by means of the simple question and the ap- 
propriate answer, a general view of the laws of the physical uni- 
verse has been rendered so intelligible, as to be easily understood 
by children who are able to read intelligibly. 

It is confidently believed that this book will form an important 
era in the progress of common-school education. 

PARKER'S COMPENDIUM OF NATURAL AND EXPERIMENTAL 

PHILOSOPHY. 

Embracing the Elementary principles of Mechanics, Hydrostatics, Hy- 
draulics, Pneumatics, Acoustics, Pyronomics, Optics, Astronomy, 
Galvanism, Magnetism, Electro-Magnetism, Magneto-Electricity, 
with a description of the Steam and Locomotive Engines. Illustrated 
by numerous diagrams. 

The use of school apparatus for illustrating and exemplifying 
the principles of Natural and Experimental Philosophy, has, with- 
in the last few years, become so general as to render necessary a 
work which should combine, in the same course of instruction, the 
theory, with a full description of the apparatus necessary for illus- 
tration and experiment. 

The work of Professor Parker, it is confidently believed, fully 
meets that requirement. It is also very full in the general facts 

(i) 



Parker^ s Natural Philosophy. 



which it presents — clear and concise in its style, and entirely 
scientific and natural in its arrangement. The following features 
will, it is hoped, commend the work to public favor. 

1. It is adapted to the present state of natural science ; embraces 
a wider field, and contains a greater amount of information on the 
respective subjects of which it treats, than any other elementary 
treatise of its size. 

2. It contains an engraving of the Boston School set of philo- 
sophical apparatus ; a description of the instruments, and an ac- 
count of many experiments which can be performed by means of 
the apparatus. 

3. It is enriched by a representation and a description of the 
Locomotive and the Stationary Steam Engines, in their latest and 
most approved forms. 

4. Besides embracing a copious account of* the principles of 
Electricity and Magnetism, its value is enhanced by the introduc- 
tion of the science of Pyronomics, together with the new science 
of Electro-Magnetism and Magneto-Electricity. 

5. It is peculiarly adapted to the convenience of study and of 
recitation, by the figures and diagrams being first placed side by 
side with the illustrations, and then repeated on separate leaves at 
the end of the volume. The number is also given, where each 
principle may be found, to which allusion is made throughout the 
volume. 

6. It presents the most important principles of science in a 
larger type ; while the deductions from these principles, and the 
illustrations, are contained in a smaller letter. Much useful and 
interesting matter is also crowded into notes at the bottom of the 
page. By this arrangement, the pupil can never be at a loss to 
distinguish the parts of a lesson which are of primary importance ; 
nor will he be in danger of mistaking theory and conjecture for fact. 

7. It contains a number of original illustrations, which the author 
has found more intelligible to young students than those which he 
has met elsewhere. 

8. Nothing has been omitted which is usually contained in an 
elementary treatise. 

9. A full description is given of the Magnetic Telegraph, and the 
principles of its construction are fully explained. 

10. For the purpose of aiding the teacher in conducting an ex- 
amination through an entire subject, or indeed, through the whole 
book, if necessary, all the diagrams have been repeated at the 
end of the work, and questions proposed on the left-hand page im- 
mediately opposite. This arrangement will permit the pupil to 
use the figure, in his recitation, if he have not time to make it on 
the black-board, and will also enable him to review several lessons 
and recall all the principles by simply reading the questions, and 
analyzing the diagrams. 



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